From the Washington State Department of Transportation:
SKYKOMISH – The Washington State Department of Transportation is working to get traffic moving again on US 2 between Skykomish and the summit at Stevens Pass by Wednesday, Nov. 25.
“Our bridge engineers spent the morning assessing the damage to the bridge and developing a plan to restore traffic to this critical route,” said WSDOT Assistant Regional Administrator Dave McCormick. “A contractor will begin working tomorrow to reopen at least one lane of traffic before the Thanksgiving holiday.”
Tuesday’s storm washed away a significant amount soil that supports the bridge’s foundation. Before the bridge can reopen to traffic, WSDOT contractor crews must install a temporary support system underneath the southeast corner of the bridge.
Once the bridge is opened to traffic, WSDOT will use temporary signals to keep traffic moving. The signal timing will be set up to best accommodate peak traffic. Oversized loads will not be allowed to cross the bridge. WSDOT is allowing emergency vehicles to cross the bridge. Local residents will be able to access properties east of the closure point in Skykomish, but will not be allowed to cross the bridge. There is currently no available detour.
Next steps
Once traffic is being alternated across the bridge, WSDOT contractor crews will then perform additional repair work by rebuilding the foundation underneath the bridge pier by using a jack to lift the bridge and replacing the missing soil with grout.
“We’ll release additional details on when this stretch of US 2 will open to two lane traffic in the next several days,” said McCormick.
Estimated cost
The repairs are estimated to cost between $200,000 and $500,000. WSDOT is seeking emergency relief funds from the Federal Highway Administration to complete the need repairs.
