July 2009
- The contractor has completed pouring the first two spans of the concrete bridge deck, and continues to install reinforcing steel in the traffic barriers and throughout the rest of the bridge deck.
- Construction began August 25, 2008.
- The project was awarded July 24, 2008 to Scarsella Bros., Inc. with a winning bid of $7,854,340.30.
Overview
The existing narrow South Fork Chehalis River Bridge on SR 6, 15 miles west of Chehalis in Lewis County will be replaced with a new, wider bridge. The new bridge will be constructed parallel to the existing bridge, located 20 feet to the north. Once constructed, the bridge will allow large vehicles approaching in opposite directions to safely cross the bridge at the same time. The new bridge will be 40 feet wide, 14 feet wider than the current structure. The South Fork Chehalis River Bridge was originally built in 1925.
Why is WSDOT
replacing this structure?
The current bridge structure over the South Fork of the Chehalis River is only 22 feet wide – too narrow for large vehicles to safely cross the bridge at the same time. When large vehicles need to cross the bridge from opposite directions, they must stop and wait for an opening. Due to stopped vehicles, rear-end collisions are common at this location, resulting in a designation as a High Accident Location. The likelihood of rear-end collisions will decrease by replacing the existing bridge, as vehicles will no longer need to stop and wait to cross the bridge.
The End Result
This project will replace the existing narrow South Fork Chehalis River Bridge on SR 6 in Lewis County with a new, 40-foot-wide structure. The new structure will consist of two 12 foot lanes with 8 foot shoulders. The new structure will be located parallel to the existing bridge, 20 feet to the north. When the new bridge is operational, the existing bridge will be removed.
Project Benefits
- Safety: Replacing the existing bridge will reduce the likelihood of rear-end accidents from vehicles slowing down or stopping on the roadway waiting to cross the bridge.
- Mobility: This project will provide a wider structure for motorists. This will allow traffic to flow smoothly across the bridge without delay. Traffic flow will be maintained during construction by relocating the bridge.
What is the project timeline?
- August 2008: Construction began.
- Late fall 2009: Construction is anticipated to be complete.
Financial Information
The estimated construction budget for this project is $10 million.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Area Engineer Colin Newell
WSDOT Chehalis Project Office
1411 Rush Road
Chehalis, WA 98532
Phone: 360-740-8600, or toll-free 1-866-713-2412
E-mail: swChehalis@wsdot.wa.gov
or
Communications
WSDOT Southwest Region
PO Box 1709
Vancouver, WA 98668-1709
Phone: 360-905-2058
E-mail: SWWebInfo@wsdot.wa.gov
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