Potato Hill bridge is torn down

New work schedule approved to expedite project

MOSES LAKE — The tearing down of Potato Hill Bridge that passes over Interstate 90 began Wednesday morning with approval from the Moses Lake City Council.

Westbound lanes were closed down and redirected to the eastbound lanes of I-90. It is single-lane traffic each way for a short distance to and from the bridge.

The construction crew is working on tearing down the project 24 hours a day, for two days this week. Another 24-hour cycle of tear down happens for three days next week. Exact dates next week are unknown; it depends on whether or not construction goes smoothly, a spokesperson said.

“It’s gonna be a very short duration,” he said.

The council agreed to allow the 24 hour work cycles because it will have a smaller impact on traffic. If not for the 24-hour work cycles, it would take several more days and have greater traffic delays, the spokesperson said. It takes approximately five hours alone to set up traffic controls for redirection, he added.

The goal is to have enough time to complete the project as safe as possible since vehicles drive under the bridge while it is being torn down. He also wants to minimize the traffic impact.

Informational flyers are being sent out to residents near the bridge to inform them of the overnight work.