Posted
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Five Washington County bridges in need of extensive repairs have new weight restrictions in place.
The bridges are:
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205th Avenue over Beaverton Creek (Bridge #1327)
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229th Avenue over Butternut Creek (Bridge #1237)
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Gaston Road over Wapato Creek (Bridge #1243)
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Mount Richmond Road over unnamed creek (Bridge #1265)
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Timber Road over Gales Creek (Bridge #1388)
Recent bridge inspections and load ratings identified the need for extensive repairs and/or limiting the weight of loads allowed to cross these five bridges. One of the five, on 229th Avenue (Bridge #1237), received significant repairs in December 2015, but still must be weight restricted. If the repairs had not been performed, the bridge would have been closed to all traffic.
The weight limits for each bridge will remain in place until the bridge is either repaired or replaced. All five bridges are safe for normal traffic not exceeding the posted weight limits. The restriction for each bridge is unique depending on its structural integrity and condition. Enforcement of posted weight limits is provided by the Sheriff's Office Motor Carrier Officers.
Of the five recently limited bridges, the Timber Road bridge at Gales Creek is due for replacement in 2017, funded by the County's Major Streets Transportation Improvement Program (MSTIP). The 229th Avenue bridge is scheduled for replacement in approximately 7 to 10 years, funded by the MSTIP Bonding Cost-sharing Program in partnership with the City of Hillsboro. Funding and timing for replacement of the other weight-limited bridges has not been determined at this time.
Including these five bridges, Washington County now has a total of 14 weight-restricted bridges. That number is expected to increase over time as the County's growing road and bridge maintenance needs continue to outpace available funding.
For more information, contact the Operations and Maintenance Division at 503-846-ROAD (846-7623) or [email protected].
Washington County is committed to planning, building and maintaining a great transportation system, ensuring the safety of all roadway users, and operating the County roadway system in a cost-effective and environmentally responsible manner.Media Contact:
Melissa De Lyser, Communications Coordinator503-846-4963
[email protected]