SR 305 Agate Pass Bridge Annual Maintenance

The Agate Pass Bridge is a steel truss bridge built in the 1950s. Cleaning and maintenance occur at the bridge during the same time each year. Inspections occur at the bridge every other year. The work is limited to February because of the potential presence of Peregrine Falcons, who have used the bridge as a nesting site in the past. The work also is timed to occur after the wettest months of the year and before the summer travel season.

To clean the bridge, a crew of workers use hand tools to scrape away dirt and debris. To protect water quality, workers collect the debris and haul it away for disposal. They use specialized Under Bridge Inspection Trucks (UBITs) to reach beside and under the bridge. For safety, the work that can only be performed during daylight hours.

During the work, crews also make needed repairs and patch the roadway. They may also seal bridge expansion joints, replace rivets, and remove rust. Every other year, the bridge undergoes an in-depth inspection.