Motorists who frequently travel through the Methow Valley are advised to prepare for construction-related delays starting next week. Repairs on the Methow River Bridge on State Route 153, just south of Carlton, are slated to commence Sept. 29. Since mid-August, a deteriorating railing has prompted the closure of one lane on the bridge near Gold Creek Loop Road, trigger a setup for alternating traffic managed by a portable signal.
According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, the compromised railing is incapable of halting an off-course vehicle in case of an accident. Traffic has been reduced to one lane, with barrels indicating the problem area, alongside a precautionary speed reduction to 25 mph when approaching the site. Hamilton Construction Company, known for tackling similar bridge issues in the vicinity, will execute the guardrail installation on the southbound side and mend patches of the bridge deck.
While most of the refurbishment will take place with the current traffic restrictions, full bridge closures for several hours may be necessary. Official closure timelines will be shared to the public in due time. The alloted time frame for the project is 30 working days, at the end of which, the bridge is expected to revert to its original two-lane traffic flow.
Given that construction schedules can change for a myriad of reasons, it's essential for travelers to stay updated on current travel conditions. Updated information can be gleaned from the real-time travel map accessible through the WSDOT website.
