US 101 Hoh River Bridge Emergency Repair

During an inspection, Washington State Department of Transportation bridge engineers found cracks in a support beam and the steel members under the bridge. Both support the driving surface of the bridge. Both are designed to lighten the load on the 95-year-old structure. The bridge will require both near- and long-term extensive repairs before all lanes can reopen.

Overnight closures:

From Monday, Sept. 14 to Tuesday, Sept. 22, each night from 10:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., the US 101 Hoh River Bridge will close to all traffic. During the overnight closures, crews will install scaffolding that creates a work deck and containment system on the bridge that is needed to perform the repairs.

Extended weekend closures for three weekends:

Once the scaffolding is in place, crews will close the bridge to traffic for up to six days in a row for three weeks to make the repairs. The 95-year-old bridge is not wide enough to create a work zone and keep one travel lane open. Crews are also removing sections of the old bridge and replacing them with new parts. The closures are scheduled for the following dates:

• 5 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29
• 5 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 to noon Tuesday, Oct. 6
• 5 a.m. Thursday Oct. 8 to noon Tuesday, Oct. 13

After each six-day closure, the bridge will be inspected prior to reopening to single-lane alternating traffic.

Emergency responders will have pedestrian access across the bridge during the work, provided by the contractor. The pedestrian access is not open to the public.