What changed?
- The existing Washington bridge approach to the overhead main span was been widened. This involved removal of the existing raised sidewalks and installation of precast concrete panels at road level on both sides of the bridge.
- The existing concrete bridge deck and sidewalks through the overhead main span and most of the Oregon approach span were completely removed and replaced with full-width precast concrete deck panels.
- The last bridge span on the Oregon side apparoach was raised and widened, which reduced an existing dip.
- The existing raised three-foot wide sidewalks were replaced with five-foot wide shoulders at road level.
- Steel guardrail was bolted to the top of one-foot high curb on each side of the bridge. New railing, designed to replicate the appearance of the existing railing, was installed on top of the guardrail (see proposed design drawing).
- Additional lighting designed to reflect the historic nature of the bridge was installed along the entire length of the bridge.
- Seismic retrofitting work was completed on the bridge supports.
- The aerial and shipping navigation lighting system on the bridge was upgraded.
- A new drainage system was installed that allows storm water to be discharged through the bridge deck and into new vegetated areas on the Oregon and Washington sides of the bridge. There is no direct runoff discharge into the river. Previously, the rainfall runoff from the bridge deck over the Columbia discharged directly to the river through existing deck drains.
During construction, WSDOT provided the public with advance notification of any planned bridge closures, other traffic impacts and of alternate routes available. In addition, WSDOT coordinated with local emergency response organizations so they would be prepared for the bridge closures and had a plan in place to continue to provide access to medical facilities.
When was the bridge closed to traffic?
In order to replace the deck panels, the bridge was closed to all traffic on weeknights (Sunday - Thursday) between 9:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. for 124 nights. Conducting the closures at night, when traffic was lighter, minimized impacts on the public.
To replace the deck panels located next to the bridge's expansion joints, several extended nightly bridge closures were scheduled. These panels were more complicated than the others and required extra time to replace. Extended full nighttime closures occurred on Sunday nights, when traffic levels on the bridge were lowest. Extended full nighttime closures started up to four hours earlier than usual nighttime full closures, but still ended at 5:30 a.m. the following morning.
The project only required three of the four full weekend closures allowed in the contract. They took place between 11 p.m. Friday night and 5:30 a.m. Monday morning. The first of these closures occurred on June 27-30, 2003. The second weekend closure occurred on January 30 - February 1, 2004. The third and final weekend closure took place on April 16-19, 2004.
The contractor also used 143 nights of single lane closures on the bridge for construction activities other than deck replacement. During these closures, flaggers directed traffic across the bridge, one direction at a time. Single lane closures only took place on weeknights (Sunday - Thursday) between 9:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
Was ferry service across the river provided during full bridge closures?
The Puget Island Ferry, which runs vehicles and passengers across the Columbia River between Cathlamet, WA and Westport, OR, ran on an expanded 24-hour-a-day schedule during full nighttime and weekend closures of the bridge. Use of the ferry was free of charge during the nighttime closures. The ferry ran every ½ hour or continuously when necessary.
How was emergency medical service provided during full bridge closures?
Prior to the start of construction, WSDOT met repeatedly with local emergency services and health care providers from both sides of the river to discuss how to maintain timely emergency medical service to Oregon residents during the bridge closures. At these meetings, a series of alternatives were explored, refined, and evaluated with these primary objectives:
- Provide timely access to 24-hour medical critical care facilities during the bridge closures
- Address medical travel by both emergency services (ambulances) and privately owned vehicles
- Must be reliable
- Should be supported by public and emergency services
It was decided through this evaluation process that the best way to ensure that patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries are transported quickly to the nearest hospital would be by emergency medical helicopter. The helicopter service was slightly less expensive than the ambulance-only ferry that also was discussed at several public meetings and provided a better response time. Please read the fact sheet (.pdf) for more information on this service. Once implemented, WSDOT continued communicating with local emergency services to ensure the process was working according to the plan.
How did WSDOT communicate with the public about bridge closures during construction?
During construction, WSDOT was committed to providing the public with accurate, immediate information on the timing of the nightly and weekend closures. The tools used by WSDOT or made available to the public included:
- Changeable electronic messages signs posted on both sides of the river advising motorists of closure schedules.
- A toll-free project information telephone line available to callers in both Oregon and Washington was used. It featured regularly updated messages about the status of the project and details about closures. The public also was able to leave a message for WSDOT on this phone line.
- Two Highway Advisory Radio (HAR) transmitters with a five-mile broadcast area located in the Kelso, Washington area and the Rainier, Oregon area constantly broadcast current closure information using two AM radio frequencies.
- This project Web page contained project updates and closure information along with a link to a monthly closure schedule. A link to a traffic camera located at the intersection of SR 432 and SR 433 in Longview was also made available on the Web page.
- Upon request, local residents, agencies and businesses were included on an e-mail and fax distribution list for weekly updates on closures and project status.
- All local media received information from WSDOT regarding closure schedules and project updates via media alerts and press releases.
What did WSDOT do to ensure a safe work environment?
A safe work zone is one of WSDOT's highest priorities for everyone involved- workers and the traveling public alike. Contractor and WSDOT personnel were educated about workplace safety on a continuous basis through formal training and periodic safety meetings.
The public was advised to reduce speed and to be alert when driving through the construction work zone. Safety was everyone's responsibility, Give 'em a BRAKE!
On the Washington side of the bridge, the speed limit was reduced temporarily to 25 mph. Speed limits signs on the shoulders defined the limits of this speed zone.
Workplace safety included many facets:
- Reflective clothing to provide good visibility of workers to motorists.
- Fall protection, such as harnesses and railings, on elevated structures.
- Head, foot, sight and hearing protection.
- Worker awareness of construction equipment, properly functioning backup sirens.
- Clear and consistent construction signing and traffic-control devices.
- Advance notice of lane and ramp closures.
- Respiration when necessary to protect against lead exposure; blood testing to monitor lead exposure.