Last month, a truck carrying an over-sized load struck the I-5 bridge over the Skagit River in Washington. The impact caused a section of the bridge to collapse.
Less than a month later, a temporary bridge has been erected.
Information from the Washington Department of Transportation:
The situation:
The I-5 Skagit River Bridge is now open to traffic. Freight haulers carrying oversize or overweight loads must still exit and use a detour route.
Time-lapse video:
View just released video of crews working to build the temporary bridge.
Traffic:
There is a reduced speed limit of 40 miles an hour on I-5 between SR 20 and College Way.
Temporary bridge construction progress:
The Washington State Department of Transportation reopened the Interstate 5 Skagit River Bridge the morning of Wednesday, June 19.
WSDOT met Gov. Inslee’s challenge of completing the temporary bridge and reconnect I-5 by mid-June.
Gov. Inslee has also directed the state Department of Commerce to release $150,000 from its Economic Development Strategic Reserve Account to support local economies affected by the bridge collapse.
View photos of the cleanup effort.
Local businesses are open
What’s the detour?
Oversized and overweight freight traffic is being routed around the section of I-5 where the temporary span is in place. View detour routes.
Next steps for the permanent fix
WSDOT has announced that Max J. Kuney Construction of Spokane has been awarded the $6.87 million contract to build the permanent fix for the bridge. That contractor is anticipated to begin work this week and have the finished section ready for installation after the Labor Day weekend and before Oct 1. Installation of the new span will require another full closure of I-5.
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