The temporary Chamber of Commerce Way overpass in Chehalis is seen in this October file photo.
The Chamber of Commerce Way overpass in Chehalis as seen in October.
The Chamber of Commerce Way overpass in Chehalis.
The Chamber of Commerce Way overpass in Chehalis.
Contractors working to replace the Chamber Way overpass in Chehalis are getting ready to hit a big milestone next week with the installation of girders on a temporary bridge alongside the damaged overpass, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Both directions of Interstate 5 will be diverted around the work zone starting at 11 p.m. Monday and ending 5 a.m. Tuesday. The Chamber Way overpass itself will be closed from 9 p.m. Monday to 5 a.m. Tuesday, said Bart Treece, communications director for WSDOT’s Southwest Region.
“This is for safety,” he said.
WSDOT’s contractor for the overpass replacement project, Quigg Bros. Inc., proposed building a temporary bridge over the Interstate just to the north of the existing overpass.
After the installation of the girders on Monday, contractors will install the bridge deck, Treece said.
Once completed later this fall, traffic will be diverted over the temporary bridge as crews rebuild the permanent overpass, which is on scheduled to be completed in Fall 2018.
The Chamber Way overpass has been struck by passing oversize vehicles many times in the past 10 years, but was most seriously damaged in July 2016 when a truck carrying excavators heading southbound damaged a portion of the overpass beyond repair.
Days later, WSDOT demolished the damaged span and replaced it with a temporary metal bridge which is still in place today.
For more information on WSDOT’s Chamber Way overpass project, go to https://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/ChamberWay/.
