Following the winter hiatus, construction workers are back on the job at State Route 500 in Vancouver, pushing to complete a new pedestrian bridge that promises to reconnect divided neighborhoods and ease the journeys of walkers, bikers, and rollers, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. Since last week, there have been ramp closures and some overnight lane restrictions aimed at facilitating the progress of the project as the weather turns favorable for construction activity.
The necessity of the bridge is made clear by the detours that residents have contended with in recent years; they've been diverted from the direct path across SR 500 at Northeast Stapleton Road and Northeast 54th Avenue, which has resulted in longer travel times and a fragmented community, as was reported by the Washington State Department of Transportation. Cascade Bridge LLC is the contractor spearheading the overcrossing build, which once completed, will dramatically shorten travel times and offer a safer crossing for the public.
A list of tasks remain as the project marches towards its conclusion: removal of traffic islands, paving the bridge pathways, repaving eastbound lanes of SR 500, giving the bridge a fresh coat of paint, and putting up safety fencing are all on the docket for this spring and summer. Additionally, work on roadway striping will be done to ensure smoother, safer travel once the bridge opens its arms to the traffic of feet and wheels.
For those whose day-to-day lives are disrupted by the construction, there is relief that comes in the form of a free, on-demand shuttle service that allows pedestrians and cyclists a way to skirt the highway; a simple call to 360-695-0123 gets them a ride, C-TRAN, in partnership with the project, facilitates this necessity, ensuring minimal disruption for the travelers. Last year, the crews managed to erect new walls and the main structure of the bridge, as well as added curb ramps for superior sidewalk access connecting to SR 500 on the nearby cross streets, "during construction, people who walk, bike, and roll can continue to use a free, on-demand shuttle service provided in partnership with C-TRAN to cross the highway" detailed the Washington State Department of Transportation report.
