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-August 2012-Crews install a pier in the river for the new Wenatchee River bridge while traffic continues to flow on the old one.
view entire photo - Several weeks later, that pier was holding up a bridge.
view entire photo - The view from above.
View entire photo 2011-Before-The new bridge will be wider and won't have an overhead superstructure.
View entire photo 2011-Before-The new bridge won't have footings that catch logs and debris like this one does.
View entire photo - 2012-Before-The Drury Creek Bridge is being replaced in the summer of 2013.
Spring 2013
Season 3 construction resumed April 8, 2013 and is expected to be complete by this fall.
Check the North Central Region’s weekly
Construction Update and Travel Advisory for construction progress and traffic impacts.
Season 1 construction began August 1, 2011 and was shut down for winter on Nov. 30.
Season 2 construction began in April, 2012 and was shut down for winter on Nov. 30.
This project, under the name US 2 – Tumwater Canyon Bridge Replacements, includes two other bridges: The Chiwaukum Creek Bridge, which is located 3/4 of a mile to the west and the Drury Creek Bridge, two miles to the east. The project also includes an Additional Turn Lanes project at the Tumwater Campground.
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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, as well as a smaller one over Drury Creek, two miles further east.
Why is WSDOT
replacing bridges in Tumwater Canyon?
The "Green Bridge" over the Wenatchee River at the top of the canyon is a steel truss/concrete girder structure which is functionally obsolete. That means it is too narrow to meet current design standards. 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, aged Drury Canyon Creek Bridge, about 2 miles east on US 2, is also being replaced as part of this project.
The End Result
The Green Bridge's replacement includes two 12-foot lanes with an eight foot westbound shoulder and ten foot eastbound shoulder. 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.) after high water events.
Project Benefits
- Very little traffic impact during construction as the current bridge remains in use while the new work proceeds alongside.
- Provides wide shoulders on the bridge deck so vehicles can pull over.
- Oversize loads will be better accommodated with a wider bridge and elimination of an overhead superstructure.
- Provides an eight foot westbound shoulder and ten foot eastbound shoulders better accommodating bicycles and pedestrians.
- The new bridge will allow for less debris accumulation by increasing the span length across the river.
- A new concrete girder structure also eliminates the need to regularly repaint the bridge.
What is the project timeline?
Construction started August 1, 2011 and will take 275 working days to complete by October, 2013.
Financial Information
Project signage will reflect the cost of construction engineering, project bid award and sales tax.
| Financial Data for PIN 200201K |
| Funding Source |
Amount ($ in thousands) |
| 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) |
$0 |
| 2005 Gas Tax (TPA) |
$640 |
| Pre-Existing Funds (PEF) |
$7,242 |
| Total |
$7,882 |
|
This project, under the name US 2 – Tumwater Canyon Bridge Replacements, includes two other bridges at Chiwaukum Creek and Drury Creek, as well as new turn lanes into Tumwater Campground.
The combined project was advertised for private contractor bids April 18, 2011. 9 qualified bids were opened on May 19. Contract #8139 was awarded to Selland Construction, Inc. of Wenatchee for $8,485,707.28 on June 24, four percent under the engineering estimate.
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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