Washington Upgrading Skagit River Bridge to Allow Greater Truck Clearance
Washington state officials are upgrading the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River that collapsed in May, with a goal of raising its overhead clearance to avoid damage from future incidents, the Washington State Department of Transportation said.
The project, announced this week, will result in an 18-foot clearance across both lanes, WSDOT said, adding that it expects to complete the work by November.
“By raising the vertical clearance above the right lane, we hope to reduce the chances of a similar bridge strike in the future,” said Jay Drye, WSDOT’s acting assistant regional administrator.
A large steel box being hauled by Alberta-based Mullen Trucking hit the Skagit River Bridge’s truss structure on May 23, causing a partial collapse. Two vehicles — but not the truck — plunged into the water, and the vehicles’ three total occupants survived.
The Skagit River Bridge over I-5, the West Coast’s major north-south artery, carries 71,000 vehicles a day, including more than 7,000 trucks.
Jim Tutton, vice president of the Washington Trucking Associations, welcomed the new project, which he said will reduce the risk of the bridge closing if it is struck.
A temporary bridge section is currently in place, and crews began work on a permanent replacement earlier this month.
Motorists can expect overnight, directional closings on the bridge during the project’s construction, WSDOT said.
