Bridge deck repairs Monday at Hiawatha Road Northeast overpass
Drivers should be prepared for some delays at the Hiawatha Road overpass during the day Monday while crews work on bridge deck repairs.
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MOSES LAKE — Drivers who are using the Hiawatha Road Northeast overpass as the detour or alternate route to Moses Lake around the Hansen Road overpass should be prepared for delays Monday while Washington State Department of Transportation crews make repairs to the bridge deck. Drivers can expect flagger-controlled traffic on the overpass from about 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to a WSDOT press release.
Lauren Loebsack, communications manager for WSDOT’s North Central region, said the Hiawatha Road overpass is showing signs of damage, although not as severe as the now-closed Hansen Road Northeast overpass.
“It’s definitely got some deterioration on it as well,” she said.
The Hansen Road overpass was closed Jan. 17 after WSDOT inspectors found serious damage to the bridge deck, girders and piers. Department of Transportation officials are still deciding how they’re going to repair it, and Hiawatha Road is the primary detour for people trying to get to Moses Lake from Mae Valley. Loebsack said WSDOT officials want to make sure Hiawatha Road can remain accessible while Hansen Road is under repair.
“These are some temporary bridge deck repairs,” she said.
Crews will be working on five sections of the deck, she said, with the goal of minimizing traffic disruptions. The work is scheduled for Monday only.
The Hansen Road overpass was damaged due to chloride contamination, and the same treatment was used at Hiawatha Road. Given the increased traffic, WSDOT inspectors will be monitoring Hiawatha Road more closely.
“We expect to see some additional deterioration,” Loebsack said. “It’s likely we’re going to see intermittent repairs like this as needed. There probably will be more days like this.”
Speaking to Moses Lake City Council members Jan. 27, WSDOT North Central Region Administrator Chris Keifenheim said the department would prefer to replace the Hansen Road overpass if that’s possible. The other option would be to repair it, which would take less time but would only delay the need to replace it. Loebsack said WSDOT officials are still discussing the options.
Department of Transportation officials hope to announce a plan next week, she said, although it may take a little longer than that.
“We expect to be able to present a plan by the end of February,” she said.