11/15/2010
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
WSDOT plans inspections, closures of Blue Bridge linking Lewiston and Clarkston this week
LEWISTON -- Annual maintenance and inspection of the Interstate bridge that links downtown areas of Lewiston and Clarkston will begin Tuesday (Nov. 16) and continue through Thursday (Nov. 18), according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
Four short-duration closures of up to 15 minutes each will be required Tuesday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. A longer closure of up to 45 minutes also will be required at some point during the day, WSDOT officials indicated.
A similar schedule is planned for Wednesday, followed by several short-duration closures on Thursday.
WSDOT bridge inspectors will perform annual maintenance and testing on the drawbridge, which will require raising and lowering the bridge deck. The actual length and timing of the closures will depend on evaluations of the inspection crew.
Motorists are encouraged to avoid using the bridge between the anticipated closure hours, although WSDOT is not formally recommending a detour route. Alternatives are the Southway Bridge connecting Bryden Canyon Road and Fleshman Way or Red Wolf Bridge, which takes traffic north of the cities on Highway 128.