The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is entering the final phase to open the new U.S. 101 Elwha River Bridge. In preparation for this, the transportation agency has announced a complete shutdown of the highway.
The nine-day closure will begin at 6 p.m. on July 12, but beginning as early as June 24, segments of the highway will go down to one-way alternative traffic lanes.
During the shutdown, traffic will be routed onto State Routes 112 and 113. This will allow crews to safely work on the highway sections connecting the new bridge and dismantle the approaches of the old span. Temporary signals will go up at mileposts 239.36 and 239.93 to alert drivers.
The new bridge is 40 feet wide. It will have two 12-foot lanes and 8-foot-wide shoulders for both drivers and pedestrians. The new bridge will also meet earthquake standards and will have a smoother curve on its westbound approach.
The project is expected to be completed this fall.
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Source: Peninsula Daily News, Hoodline
