View entire map This project replaces the green steel bridge at the top of Tumwater Canyon (MP 90.57-90.62), nine miles west of Leavenworth in Chelan County.
View entire photo The new bridge will be wider and won't have an overhead superstructure.
View entire photo The new bridge won't have footings that catch logs and debris like this one does.
Project Facts
- The existing structure was once used as a railroad bridge and was built in 1900. It was relocated to it's current location as a highway bridge in 1936. It is 265 feet long with two 12-foot lanes and no shoulders.
- The current project proposal includes a new structure that will be between 300-320 feet long and have two 12-foot lanes and two 8-foot shoulders. A seperated bike/pedestrian crossway is one design alternative being evaluated.
- This project will likely take two construction seasons to complete and may involve slight changes in the highway alignment to accommodate construction staging.
Summer 2008
The project is currently in the design phase, with a scheduled construction start in late spring 2011. This project will likely take two seasons to complete.
Survey data, geotechnical information, and environmental resource data is now being gathered to prepare the design alternatives to address identified environmental impacts.
This Catastrophic Reduction Structure Preservation project replaces an old bridge on US 2 at the top of Tumwater Canyon, nine miles west of Leavenworth in Chelan County.
Why is WSDOT
replacing the Wenatchee River Bridge in Tumwater Canyon?
The current steel truss/concrete girder structure is functionally obsolete, which means it is too narrow to meet today's design standards for roadway width. Originally built as a railroad bridge in 1900, it was moved to this location in 1936 and converted to a highway bridge. The age and structure type doesn't allow for widening and it must be replaced. The small Drury Canyon Creek Bridge, about 2 miles east on US 2, will be replaced as part of this project.
The End Result
The current proposal for the new structure includes two 12-foot lanes with 8-foot shoulders. The current bridge has two 12-foot lanes and no shoulders. The new structure will also span a greater distance across the Wenatchee River with fewer footings, improving river flow and reducing the need to clear debris (logs jams, etc.) from the bridge after high water events.
Project Benefits
- Passenger Vehicle Safety -Provides wide shoulders on the bridge deck so vehicles can pull over.
- Truck Safety - Oversize loads will be better accommodated with a wider bridge and elimination of an overhead superstructure.
- Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety -Providing 8-foot shoulders on each side of the new bridge allows bicycles and pedestrians to cross safely.
- Environmental: The new bridge will allow for less backwatering and debris accumulation by increasing the span length across the river. A new concrete girder structure also eliminates the need to repaint the bridge on a regular basis.
What is the project timeline?
The project is currently in the initial design phase, with a scheduled construction start in late Spring 2011. This project will take two seasons to complete.
This project is planned to be constructed in conjunction with the US 2 - Chiwaukum Creek Bridge Replacement, which is located 3/4 of a mile to the west.
Public Involvement
In August of 2006, an Interdisciplinary Scoping Team (IDT) workshop was held with project stakeholders to identify the environmental constraints on the project and propose solutions to minimize those impacts.
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. If you have questions or comments about this project, please let us know by using the contact information below.
Environmental Protection
WSDOT is committed to protecting the environment and is making every effort to assess and minimize any negative impacts from this project. All applicable environmental laws and guidelines are being followed.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
As one of the primary highway accesses to North Central Washington from the Puget Sound area, improving safety for those coming to this tourist dependent region is critical. At the same time, safety during construction is critical and a work zone and traffic safety plan is being developed to protect motorists and the construction workers while the work is underway.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
Coordination with the Tribes is ongoing and will continue to be a critical aspect of this project.
WSDOT seeks 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.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following source:
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Bob Romine, Project Engineer
WSDOT North Central Region
P.O. Box 98
Wenatchee, WA 98807
Phone: (509) 667-2880 or toll free (888) 461-8816
Email: rominer@wsdot.wa.gov
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