WSDOT to Replace Damaged Bullfrog Road Overpass Span on I-90
Key Takeaways
- Construction begins this month and continues through winter, with reopening set for January.
- The project will require intermittent full closures of westbound I-90 and multiple detours for local and interstate traffic.
- The $8 million emergency bridge replacement is state funded, with final overlay work scheduled for spring.
The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will begin work this month to replace a span of the Bullfrog Road overpass near Cle Elum.
Overpass Damaged After Semi-Truck Collision
The structure, which sits above the westbound lanes of Interstate 90, sustained extensive structural damage on Oct. 21 when a semi-truck hauling an oversized load struck the bridge, according to KOMO News. The announcement comes 20 days after reopening the westbound lanes following the removal of the damaged span.
WSDOT announced that bridge designers have finalized replacement plans, and the agency expects to select a contractor and mobilize crews by the end of the month, according to a WSDOT press release.
Winter Construction: Overpass Reopens in Early 2026
Work will continue through the winter, with the Bullfrog Road overpass slated to reopen to traffic in January 2026, WSDOT stated.
To speed-up construction and minimize closures, crews will install pre-cast girders or concrete support beams, followed by concrete sidewalls before the structure is reopened.
I-90 Closures and Detours Expected
Construction will require short-term full closures of westbound I-90. WSDOT noted that all-day closures will occur during girder placement, with additional short-term closures possible as work continues. Drivers will be detoured to westbound on- and off-ramps during these shutdowns.
Detours for the Bullfrog Road overpass remain in effect:
· Eastbound I-90 travelers heading to Suncadia: use exit 85 to State Route 903.
· Westbound travelers heading to South Bullfrog Road or Leisure Lane: use exit 78, then loop back east to exit 80.
· Travelers from Suncadia or Roslyn: use State Route 903 to westbound I-90 access.
$8 Million Emergency Replacement
The emergency bridge replacement has an estimated cost of $8 million, funded through the governor’s emergency proclamation, according to the WSDOT news release.
Crews will return in spring to apply a thin concrete overlay, requiring another temporary closure on the overpass after the January reopening.