Travel disruptions are expected in Aberdeen as preservation efforts for the US 101 Chehalis River Bridge commence. According to an update from the Washington State Department of Transportation, work on the historic bridge started in November, aiming to maintain the vital connection it provides.
During the project, slated to last several weeks for each phase, travelers will have to endure ramp closures encompassing four nights on the north side of the bridge. Crews are set to quickly begin work to replace old rocker bearings key to the bridge's structural integrity. The first closure commenced on November 14, when workers closed the southbound US 101/H Street ramp overnight to install the placeholder supports. For commuters, the detour meant utilizing the West State Street on-ramp to circumnavigate the closures.
The next round of closures is scheduled for early December and January, when similar work will occur on the bearings under the northbound bridge ramp to US 101/G Street. As mentioned by WSDOT, the bearings help stabilize the bridge by transferring its load to the ground, and their replacement is essential for the near 70-year-old structure's longevity. Travelers during these times will be redirected via the East State Street off-ramp.
Specific closure dates for the southbound US 101/H Street ramp to the Chehalis River Bridge include 9 p.m. Thursday, November 14, reopening at 5 a.m. the following day, and again from 9 p.m. Monday, December 9, until 5 a.m. Tuesday, December 10. The northbound Chehalis River Bridge ramp to US 101/G Street will subsequently be closed from 9 p.m. Friday, December 6, to 5 a.m. Saturday, December 7, and 9 p.m. Thursday, January 2, to 5 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2025. In conjunction with the bearing replacements, East State Street will also be closed round the clock under each ramp while the crews are actively working on the structures.
To better plan their travel and to keep updated on this and other highway projects, Grays Harbor County commuters are encouraged to sign up for email updates from WSDOT. For those needing more immediate information, real-time travel data can be accessed via the WSDOT app and the statewide travel map.
