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| ODOT to close Old Youngs Bay bridge for deck repairs |
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| 04/05/2010 |
April 5, 2010 For more information: Lou Torres (503) 986-2880
03-070-R2 email at: mailto:louis.c.torres@odot.state.or.us
ODOT to close Old Youngs Bay Bridge for 16 days in June to replace deck
ASTORIA—The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will be closing the Old Youngs Bay Bridge on U.S. 101 (Business) from June 4-20 to replace the rapidly deteriorating deck system. The drawbridge will also be closed to all marine traffic from May 1 to June 30.
Additional bridge work will be performed before and after the full bridge closure but this work will occur by closing one lane during the daytime or by a full bridge closure with detour at night. Motorists will use U.S. 101 as the detour route.
“We apologize to the local community for any inconvenience from the closure,” said Steve Carter, ODOT’s Assistant District Manager in Astoria. “We couldn’t wait much longer to do the work. Anyone who has driven over the Old Youngs Bay Bridge recently has experienced the rough ride due to the poor and deteriorating roadway conditions.”
In 2004, the bridge’s old timber/asphalt decking system was replaced with a Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) decking system and concrete surface. At the time, the FRP deck system was considered a new technology for bridge decks, and ODOT received special federal research/demonstration funds to try the new technology. However, the product has not met the manufacturer’s expectations causing the existing decking system to degrade so significantly it will require complete replacement.
ODOT decided to replace the current deck with a conventional open steel grid decking system. “These types of systems have proven to be reasonable and cost effective,” Carter said. The cost for the new deck system is $581,000.
Area businesses, motorists, residents and emergency responders will be notified and reminded of the closure and detour route through a combination of mailings, variable message signs (VMS), and other signage and communications over the next three months.
The Old Young’s Bay Bridge was designed and built in 1921 by Conde McCullough. It was the first bridge by McCullough, who is famous for many of the coastal bridges built on U.S. 101 in Oregon. The bridge spans Youngs Bay and connects Astoria with communities to the south and east of Warrenton.
##ODOT##
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