Adams, Hiawatha road bridges scheduled for spring 2027 replacement

QUINCY — Washington Department of Transportation officials haven't made a definite schedule for replacement of the overpasses at Adams and Hiawatha roads, but they do have one in mind.

"According to our project manager, we are looking at spring (2027) for both," said Summer Derrey, public information officer for the WSDOT North Central region.

Derrey said any timeline would be subject to change, but spring 2027 for both is the goal. 

The new bridges will be slightly wider than the existing ones, according to information from Washington Representative Alex Ybarra. Ybarra announced on social media that the new bridges will be about four feet wider than the existing bridges, which should better accommodate farm machinery. 

Ybarra said both new overpasses will be about 32 feet wide, with shoulders about four feet wide on each side. 

"I guess the shoulders (on the existing overpasses) are about a foot wide," Derrey said. 

Department of Transportation crews have been conducting preliminary work on both bridges throughout the summer and fall. At various times DOT crews have had drilling rigs at both sites taking core samples, and last week crews were working on the underside of the Hiawatha Road overpass.

The Adams Road bridge was closed March 4 due to concerns about its condition, when holes were discovered in the bridge deck. Sebastian Moraga, WSDOT communications consultant, said in an earlier interview that inspections confirmed those concerns and prompted WSDOT officials to keep it closed.

“Adams Road bridge has deteriorated to the point that it’s not safe to keep open, due to chloride contamination that has caused rebar to rust and break, which then causes the concrete to break apart,” Moraga said. “This contamination has affected all parts of the bridge, and it must be replaced.”

Hiawatha Road was inspected at the same time, and was also determined to have sustained damage, but it was in slightly better condition. As a result, it underwent some repairs in February, but it has remained open.

Hansen Road is the main detour route for people who want to access Moses Lake from Mae Valley because the Hansen Road overpass has been closed since January.

The old overpass, now demolished and being replaced, was determined to have sustained damage extensive enough to close it immediately. Ultimately, WSDOT officials opted to replace the Hansen Road overpass on an expedited timeline. It's projected to open in January 2027.

All the overpasses between Moses Lake and George were inspected after the damage at Hansen Road was discovered. The two Moses Lake bridges and Dodson Road were determined to be in better condition.