Evergreen Reporter

TOLEDO – Over the last 13 months, the closure of State Route 506 over Interstate 5 near Toledo has forced people to take the long way home. Following a bridge strike to the northbound span of the overpass on Thursday, Sept. 22, the overpass will remain closed to travelers until further notice.

On Thursday, Sept. 29, SB Structures LLC., working for the Washington State Department of Transportation, will continue work associated with replacing the southbound span of SR 506 and install new bridge girders over the southbound lanes of I-5.

Throughout the remainder of September, travelers will see nighttime, intermittent single lane closures along both directions of I-5, with a large portion of the work occurring during the day along the SR 506/Toledo-Vader Road overpass.

“Each bridge girder weighs approximately 120,000 pounds and is critical for supporting the deck of the new structure,” said WSDOT Project Engineer Paul Mason. “To ensure everyone’s safety during demolition and bridge girder setting, all lanes of southbound I-5 will close overnight at the overpass.”

Detour and lane closure information

• Mondays through Fridays from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m.:
  Drivers may encounter nighttime, intermittent single lane closures in both directions of I-5 at the SR 506/Toledo-Vader Road overpass. Travelers should expect delays through the work zone.
• Thursday, Sept. 29 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., Friday, Sept. 30:
  All lanes of southbound I-5 will be reduced to a single lane and detoured through the off-and on-ramps at Exit 60 for SR 506/Toledo-Vader Road.

In July 2021, an over height load was traveling southbound on I-5 when it stuck the underside of the SR 506 overpass. Following the bridge strike, WSDOT bridge crews assessed the damage and closed the bridge to travelers until the southbound span could be replaced.

On Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, an over height load was traveling northbound on I-5 when it struck the underside of SR 506 overpass. WSDOT bridge inspectors assessed the damage sustained to the overpass and are working to determine next steps.

Although work will continue to rebuild the southbound span of the overpass, for the safety of the traveling public, the bridge will remain closed to travelers until a repair can be completed on the northbound span.

Construction on this $833k project is scheduled for completion this fall. Drivers are encouraged to slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones. 

Original source can be found here.