WSDOT to install permanent span over Skagit River soon

BURLINGTON, Wash. -- The final stages of the Skagit River Bridge fix are underway. T

he Washington State Department of Transportation said crews are on schedule to swap out the temporary span for the permanent one. However, the process will require a full shut down of I-5 in Skagit County for at least a couple of days. Officials said the project is on pace to be completed by Oct 1.

Seventy-one thousand vehicles travel through this corridor everyday.

A 160-foot portion of the bridge collapsed into the river May 23, after a semi-truck hit a critical steel support. In July, a temporary span was put in place to allow traffic to flow in the heavily congested area.

The new span will be supported from beneath by girders, instead of overhead trusswork. Later this year, overhead crossbeams in the remaining three spans of the old bridge will be cut and rebuilt, to allow 18 feet of clearance in all four travel lanes.