Paving starts Tuesday on SR 432 Cowlitz bridge

The daily grind of more than 35,000 vehicles per day has taken a toll on sections of the Cowlitz River Bridge (State Route 432), officially known as the Harry E. Morgan Bridge.

Starting Sept. 5, Washington State Department of Transportation contractor crews will begin work to fix aging bridge expansion joints and repair cracked concrete on the structure that connects Longview to Interstate 5.

One of the two eastbound lanes across the eastbound Cowlitz River Bridge will close around the clock until the project wraps up this fall.

The posted speed limit will be reduced to 35 miles per hour within the work zone.

All lanes of the eastbound Cowlitz River Bridge will close during two separate weekends, to be announced at a later date, for deck resurfacing work. A signed detour will be posted.