Submitted by Thurston County
The old L-4 Salmon Creek Bridge structure has been demolished out on Littlerock Road Southwest, and crews are ready to install the new pilings for a brand new L-4 Bridge structure. The L-4 Bridge project is well underway with lots of activity, and crews remind residents that all traffic must stay out of the active construction zone, and that includes all walkers, joggers and bicyclists, as well as cars and trucks.
“We are right in the thick of the construction action at this point, and it is really not safe for anyone to be in the construction zone,” said Brandon Hicks, Public Works Construction Manager. “Obviously with the old bridge gone, it’s impossible for people to drive through, but we actually have had several joggers and several bicyclists wander through, and we need to get the word out that the road is completely closed to everyone—walkers, joggers, bicyclists, everyone. It’s for everyone’s safety.”
The L-4 Bridge was closed to all traffic on Monday, August 11 so that crews could demolish the old bridge structure and install a new bridge from the ground up.
Public Works staff members first discovered problems with the old bridge structure back in January. When inspectors examined the bridge, they discovered that the center pier was failing, and that the old bridge was unsafe and needed to be completely replaced.
Construction crews have up to eight weeks to complete the removal of the old bridge and the first phase of the new bridge installation. Once the first phase of construction is done and the new bridge structure re-opens to traffic, crews will continue working on the bridge, and motorists using the bridge are asked to drive slowly and take caution in the active construction zone to help keep workers safe.
The new bridge is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
To learn more about the L-4 Salmon Creek Bridge Project, and to stay connected with project updates and traffic alerts, visit the L-4 Bridge project web site at www.co.thurston.wa.us/publicworks/Projects/61489.aspx.
