Skip Top Navigation Skip to Content
Date: Monday, December 17, 2007
Contact: Meagan McFadden, WSDOT Communications, (509) 654-0697 Will Smith, WSDOT Project Engineer, (509) 577-1840
WSDOT re-opens Easton Bridge on I-90; community thankful to have bridge back to normal
EASTON – Today Easton school children wearing bright orange safety vests joined community members, WSDOT officials and Max J. Kuney construction crews to celebrate the safe and speedy re-opening of the I-90 Easton Bridge.
On October 31, 2007, a truck carrying an over-sized load struck the eastbound span of the bridge over I-90 at exit 71. WSDOT bridge experts determined the bridge span was damaged beyond repair and crews demolished the east half of the bridge on November 1, 2007.
“I challenged our engineers to find a way to replace this bridge within 45 days,” said Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond. “I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but it was important for Easton residents. I was confident our crews could meet the challenge and they did. I’m very proud of their work.”
WSDOT and their contractor were able to re-open the I-90 Easton Bridge by December 15, 45 days after the damaged span was demolished, despite freezing temperatures, snow storms and extra traffic on I-90 due to travelers avoiding flooding on I-5 in Chehalis.
Over one hundred students, parents, and community members turned out for the brief celebration under cold and snowy conditions.
“It was really fun to cut the ribbon in the snow,” said Trevor Cosumer, first grader at Easton School.
The students were selected after their classes brought in the most food during the “Community of Caring” food drive. Hundreds of pounds of food and
thousands of dollars were collected over several weeks and will be distributed to several needy families in the Easton community. WSDOT wasn’t the only one that faced challenges. When the bridge was severely damaged on Halloween morning, the community and the school had to adjust their daily routine to accommodate necessary detours. The Easton School had to reroute buses and Easton residents had further to drive for interstate access. “The detour was only a few miles, but it makes a difference especially to the bus routes,” said Suellen White, Easton School Superintendent. “It’s going to be such a relief to have the bridge back open to traffic.”
WSDOT wasn’t the only one that faced challenges. When the bridge was severely damaged on Halloween morning, the community and the school had to adjust their daily routine to accommodate necessary detours. The Easton School had to reroute buses and Easton residents had further to drive for interstate access.
“The detour was only a few miles, but it makes a difference especially to the bus routes,” said Suellen White, Easton School Superintendent. “It’s going to be such a relief to have the bridge back open to traffic.”
< Back to News Home
