TIGER, Wash. — Updated Oct. 13 at 4:35 p.m.- The Lost Creek Bridge is reopened to traffic.
Updated Oct. 11 at 10:30 a.m.- A vandal ruined equipment of the construction crew finishing repairs of the Lost Creek Bridge.
According to a tweet from WSDOT, crews arrived at the bridge to pave the approach only to find one of their front loader’s windows smashed.
“Well, this is a disappointing way to start the day,” tweeted WSDOT. They ended their message with, “Now tax dollars are spent on fixing this instead of roads.”
Updated on Oct. 10 at 9:00 a.m.- Crews hope to finish the Lost Creek Bridge repairs by Friday afternoon, per WSDOT.
According to a tweet from WSDOT, crews have made good progress on the bridge. The last stages of construction include the 90-year-old wood abutment that has been replaced and backfilled with a rock before adding a new asphalt approach.
WSDOT says that its goal is to have the bridge done to Highway 20 on Friday, Oct. 11, in the afternoon.
-Originally written Oct. 3 at 9:53 p.m.-The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) said travelers who use the Lost Creek Bridge on Highway 20 should anticipate lengthy detours beginning Monday due to maintenance work.
According to WSDOT, at around 6 a.m. on Oct. 7, crews will begin setting up traffic control and detour signage. The full closure of the bridge is expected to begin at 9 a.m. and is anticipated to last through the week. The bridge, built 90 years ago from timber, has deteriorating wood abutment beams that require replacement. Erosion of soil material adjacent to and beneath the bridge approaches has also compromised the asphalt driving surface, WSDOT said.
WSDOT said the maintenance crews will replace the deteriorated timber abutment, remove the asphalt roadway approach surfaces, and compact the soil with additional crushed rock before repaving the area. The goal is to reopen the bridge to traffic by Wednesday, October 9, barring any unforeseen issues.
WSDOT said due to the bridge’s location, the detour route for travelers between Usk and Tiger will be lengthy. A signed detour will direct drivers along East 5th Avenue east over the Pend Oreille River, onto Le Clerc Road North, and Sullivan Lake Road back across the river to rejoin Highway 20 in Ione. This detour adds approximately 10 minutes of additional travel time.
