Wilson Creek bridge will be replaced

Wahkiakum County officials have approved an agreement with Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to replace the county's bridge of Wilson Creek in Skamokawa's East Valley.

The funding grant will largely finance the $1.77 million project.

The county's match is estimated at $24,165, Public Works Director Chuck Beyer reported, and would be used for the engineering design phase.

The bridge is in poor condition, Beyer said, scoring only 44 out of 100 points on the bridge inspection, and there is a weight limit on loads that pass over it.

The surface is so worn that one can see the rebar in the concrete structure, Beyer said.

" We are starting on the engineering phase, so more than likely work won't start until 2023 at the earliest," Beyer said.