I-5 bridge set to reopen over Skagit River in mid-June

The first temporary bridge span is now complete over the Skagit River. The full span is expected to open to traffic next week.

By Reporter Staff • June 10, 2013 4:27 pm
Crews construct the steel framework on the first of two temporary bridge spans designed to close the gap in the Interstate 5 Skagit River bridge.
Crews construct the steel framework on the first of two temporary bridge spans designed to close the gap in the Interstate 5 Skagit River bridge.

The first temporary bridge span is now complete over the Skagit River. WSDOT crews poured new concrete bridge supports for the temporary bridge over the weekend and completed a steel framework on the first of two temporary bridge spans.

On Monday, June 10, the first temporary span was pushed into the gap and will be positioned over the new concrete supports during the next several days. Crews will be working around-the-clock shifts to complete the temporary bridge span, expected to open to traffic sometime next week.

“Getting to this point hasn’t been easy,” said Jay Drye, WSDOT assistant regional administrator. “Each step of removing and replacing the damaged bridge span has to be carefully choreographed to maximize efficiency, speed and safety.”

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A portion of the I-5 bridge collapsed into the Skagit River near Mount Vernon on Thursday, May 23, after a semitruck struck steel supports. The I-5 corridor is used by 71,000 vehicles daily.

For more information on the project, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/SkagitRiverBridgeReplacement.