As early as next week, drivers should expect nightly lane closures and lane shifting on Interstate 90 and Front Street North as repairs start on the damaged interstate overpass.
Glance up as you drive north on Front Street you'll see a chunk of concrete missing from the overpass.
A garbage truck punched a hole in a bridge girder above Front Street in March 2015, causing damage. On May 2, 2016, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) contractor crews will begin work on a $1.2 million project to replace the 114-foot girder.
Front Street also will close in both directions for up to three nights for the removal and replacement of the bridge girder. The full Front Street closures have not yet been scheduled.
The project is scheduled to be complete in early July. WSDOT will seek reimbursement for the cost of the repairs from the party responsible for the damage.
"This is the ultimate remodel job," said WSDOT Project Engineer Mark Sawyer. "The crews will carefully cut out the damaged girder to protect the steel and rebar of the existing bridge deck. The old girder will then be taken apart alongside the road below and a new girder put in place."