Date:  Friday, October 22, 2010

Contact:  

Steve Roark, Asst. Region Administrator for Construction, 360-357-2607
Lisa Copeland, Region Communication Manager, 360-357-2789

HOQUIAM – Relief is in sight for tourists heading to the Washington coast and for local commuters and businesses located near the US 101 Simpson Avenue Bridge in Grays Harbor. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) yesterday opened bids on a contract to repair the foundation supporting the bridge pier. The apparent low bidder was Quigg Bros. Inc. of Aberdeen at $4.1 million.

Engineers estimate about ten weeks to get the bridge reopened to traffic once the work is under way in early November. Weather could impede that schedule.

“We’re pleased to have a contractor on board,” said Kevin Dayton, region administrator. “We look forward to giving this bridge back to the community and this is a big step toward that.”

WSDOT closed the bridge to motorists in August after noticing unusual movement on the bridge and then discovering severe erosion and degradation of the timber piles that support the bridge’s concrete piers.

During the closure, motorists are detouring using the nearby Riverside Bridge. Built in 1927, the Simpson Avenue Bridge is a 1,978-foot-long bridge that spans the Hoquiam River and carries about 13,000 vehicles per day.

For more information about the project visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US101/SimpsonBridgePierRepair/.

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