View
enlarged detour route mapBetween February 19 and April 30, 2008, the Simpson Avenue Bridge will be completely closed while crews rehabilitate the bridge's electrical and mechanical drawspan parts. While the closure is in effect, traffic will use this detour over the Riverside Bridge.
Project Facts
- The Simpson Avenue Bridge carries 15,000 vehicles a day.
- The construction work will not affect boats under the bridge, as the drawspan will remain open during rehab work. Vehicles will be detoured via Riverside Bridge.
- The most visual part of construction will be removing the bridge's old control tower and setting a new tower into place.
May 2008
US 101 Simpson Ave. Bridge re-opens to traffic
The US 101 Simpson Avenue Bridge re-opened to traffic April 30, 2008.
Up next, crews will test the performance of the bridge. This involves opening the drawspan four times each day. This work will be done during non-peak traffic times.
In this project, WSDOT is upgrading the US 101 Simpson Avenue Bridge spanning the Hoquiam River in Hoquiam by replacing the electrical and mechanical components of the bridge's drawspan. We will replace the control house on top of the bridge, replace pedestrian barrier, and improve maintenance access. We will upgrade structural components, and build a turn-out adjacent to the bridge so future inspection and maintenance activities can occur without affecting traffic.
Why is WSDOT
rehabilitating the Simpson Avenue Bridge?
This bridge is 80 years old. It is important to mariners and motorists that the bridge remain fully operational. Many of the parts that operate the drawspan are original and in need of replacement.
The End Result
The result of this rehabilitation project will be to keep the bridge fully operational for many more years to come.
Project Benefits
Operations. The bridge's drawspan will operate reliably and smoothly, benefitting drivers and mariners alike.
Safety. The replaced pedestrian railing and improved maintenance access help keep pedestrians and bicyclists, and WSDOT employees, out of harm's way.
Traffic Flow. The turn-out that will be built adjacent to the bridge will allow future bridge maintenance and inspection activities to occur without blocking a lane of traffic.
What is the project timeline?
Construction began in August 2007 and much of the work taking place under and around the bridge has already occurred.
The biggest component of the bridge project is the renovation work for the drawspan, which will require a 10-week continuous closure. Currently the closure is scheduled to begin on February 19, 2008, and continue through the end of April 2008.
The entire project is scheduled to be complete in early summer 2008.
Public Involvement
For more information on this and other area WSDOT projects, contact:
Lisa Murdock, Olympic Region Communications Manager, (360) 357-2789, or at murdocl@wsdot.wa.gov.
Environmental Protection
The Simpson Avenue Bridge is registered on the National Historic Register. As such, WSDOT has given much attention to the design of the new control house that will replace the old control house. As much as possible, WSDOT has designed the new control house to replicate the look, feel and layout of the original control house.
WSDOT will donate several parts of the old control house (such as the original generator and control panel) to Hoquiam's Polson Museum. WSDOT also commissioned a report to photographically document the original bridge for historical records.
WSDOT makes every effort to assess and minimize environmental impacts from our projects. When we designed these projects, we worked to reduce the effects on wetlands, creeks and rivers that could be in the project area.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Safety is paramount in all of WSDOT's operations.
Drivers - The detour drivers will use during the 10-week closure will be clearly signed and delineated.
Construction Workers - All safety standards will be maintained during the construction work on the bridge.
Maintenance Crews - The permanent upgrades to the maintenance access and pedestrian walkway railings will enhance safety for maintenance workers and pedestrians alike.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
As we planned and developed this project, we investigated and found that it does not affect tribal resources.
At WSDOT we seek to address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.
To learn more about the tribal consultation process please visit WSDOT's Tribal Liaison page, where you'll find links to WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan and WSDOT's Tribal Consultation Policy (adopted by the Transportation Commission on February 19, 2003).
Financial Information
This $9.2 million project is funded through WSDOT bridge preservation funds.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
WSDOT Project Office
John Hart, Project Engineer
4801 Olympic Highway
Aberdeen, WA 98520
Phone: 360.533.9352
E-mail: hartj@wsdot.wa.gov
back to top