Pacific County bridge repair continues

Work to replace four narrow and decades-old bridges in Pacific County progresses as crews get ready to pour concrete decks on the new, wider replacement structures this winter.

The state Department of Transportations contractor on the State Route 6 Willapa River Bridge is scheduled to pour the new concrete bridge decks today. Crews working to replace the state Route 105 North River and Smith Creek bridges and the US 101 Middle Nemah River Bridge are on target to pour concrete for the new bridge decks in late December and early January.

In order for the concrete to dry and harden, the decks must be poured during dry weather with temperatures warmer than 35 degrees.

Weve had some intense winter weather, but were expecting a few warm days to let us pour the concrete for the decks, said Project Engineer Lee Unterwegner. Well have a lot of activity going on in the work zones, so were asking drivers to be patient and drive with caution.

Drivers traveling over the Smith Creek and North River bridges on SR 105 should expect single-lane traffic with flagging and delays of up to 20 minutes from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Traffic will be regulated by an automated signal during non-work hours.

Another automated signal is controlling traffic on the one-lane US 101 Middle Nemah Bridge around the clock. Drivers can expect up to 10-minute delays until construction is complete in spring 2014.

All four projects are funded by the 2005 gas tax package and pre-existing state funds, and are scheduled to be complete by the end of 2014.

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Pacific County bridge repair continues