All lanes of northbound Interstate 5 near Toledo will be closed overnight Monday, Nov. 21, as contractor crews work to replace the state Route 506 overpass, the Washington state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced this week.
WSDOT closed the bridge in July 2021 when an over-height load struck the southbound span. Plans to reopen the bridge after completion of southbound repairs were put on hold when another over-height load struck the northbound span in September 2022.
Beginning at 9 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21, contractor SB Structures LLC will install falsework at the piers of the overpass, according to WSDOT.
All lanes of northbound I-5 will be reduced to a single lane and detoured through the off- and on-ramps at Exit 60 for state Route 506/Toledo-Vader Road from 9 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21 to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22.
“Installing temporary falsework at the piers is critical for supporting and stabilizing the bridge deck girders until the fresh concrete is set and the entire structure is self-supporting,” said WSDOT Project Engineer Paul Mason. “To ensure everyone’s safety during falsework installation and concrete pouring, the northbound lanes of I-5 will close overnight at the overpass.”
Drivers may also encounter intermittent single lane closures in either direction of I-5 at the overpass weeknights between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. Travelers should expect delays through the work zone.
The initial damage to the bridge was caused by an over-height load traveling southbound on I-5 that struck the underside of the SR 506 overpass in July 2021. Following the bridge strike, WSDOT bridge crews assessed the damage and closed the bridge to travelers until the southbound span could be replaced, according to WSDOT.
On Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, a second over-height load traveling northbound on I-5 struck the underside of SR 506 overpass. WSDOT bridge inspectors assessed the damage sustained to the overpass and are working to determine next steps, according to WSDOT. “For the safety of the traveling public, the bridge will remain closed to travelers until northbound repairs can be completed,” said WSDOT in a news release.
WSDOT encourages drivers to “slow down and stay focused” when traveling through work zones.
