Date:  Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Contact: Sean McDermott, WSDOT Communications, 206.440.4788
WSDOT On-call pager 206.437.6314

BLACK DIAMOND – WSDOT engineers and WSP closed the SR 169 Kummer Bridge over the Green River near Black Diamond at 3:19 p.m. today (Wednesday, Nov. 12) after geotechnical experts detected small movements in the soil holding up the bridge.

“The inclinometer sent a reading that showed soil movement 40 feet below the bridge. We chose to close the bridge to all traffic and ordered our crews out of the area as a safety precaution,” said Messay Shiferaw, WSDOT engineer.

The bridge might be closed until Friday.

It’s been raining hard all day in the area.

Bridge and soil experts have been dispatched to the area to assess the situation. They might not be able to make an accurate assessment until the morning.

WSP troopers and WSDOT maintenance workers are at both ends of the bridge directing traffic to the short detour route.

Passenger detour route

• Northbound drivers should take 400th Street to 212th Avenue SE to 218th Avenue SE to Black Diamond Road.
• Southbound drivers should use the same detour in reverse.
  

Driver information

• Drivers heading into the area should plan for delays on the detour route.
• Drivers should call 511 for the latest roadway information.
  

Work on the bridge

WSDOT has equipment and contractor crews in the area working on a slope stabilization project. The work has been under way for several weeks. For more information on the repair work, www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR169/GreenRiverRepair/default.htm

Other closures

For information on other closures statewide, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/Update/countynavigation.htm

                                           ###

Drivers can now get real-time traffic and weather information by dialing 5-1-1 from most phones.This new traveler information system builds upon the highly successful Washington State Highway hotline that managed 4.6 million calls each year. Callers can also use 5-1-1 to get statewide construction, mountain pass condition, and state ferry system information, as well as toll free numbers for passenger rail and airlines. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.

< Back to News Home