Bridge work to return

Editor’s Note: With painting and decking work on the Puget Island bridge apparently at an end, I contacted the Washington State Department of Transportation early last week to ask if this were the case. A reply indicated the project had come to an end, and we published a story last Thursday providing details as we knew them. However, WSDOT personnel sent an updating email Wednesday morning that arrived while we were composing pages, and I didn’t see it until printing was completed. I updated the story on our website, but the story in the print edition was incorrect. Following are the details as we now know them. I have to remind myself, it’s construction, and things can change. --Rick Nelson, publisher.

Work on the Puget Island bridge is nearly finished, Washington State Department of Transportation officials said last week, but work and single lane closures will resume Dec. 2. Construction workers on Nov. 8 removed lights and traffic cones that had guided motorists in single lane traffic, and traffic signs were covered with black plastic. The lights and lane closures will return next week, Tamara Greenwell, regional communications officer reported Nov. 20.

“We are hoping to resolve an issue with the bridge joints by Dec. 2nd,” she said “We believe the materials will be available and the work can be done that week or the following week.”

The $17 million project, which consisted of painting and installation of a new deck on the bridge, will have been completed over a year ahead of schedule, according to the department.