VANTAGE — Preliminary work, with some minor impacts on traffic, will begin later this summer on a project to replace the road surface of the Vantage Bridge. The major work - which will have major effects on traffic - begins in spring 2024 and will continue through fall 2026.

“Minor work starts this fall, with some minor impacts to traffic, such as lane closures,” Megan Lott, communications manager for the south central region of the Washington State Department of Transportation, wrote in an email to the Herald.

The bridge will be getting major upgrades to the road surface, Lott wrote.

“The contractor will be replacing the entire bridge deck and work in sections. The work will include removing the deteriorating sections of the bridge deck, placing new precast segments, then pouring concrete to connect the two joints to create a smooth new surface across the bridge,” she wrote. “Contractor crews also will be making improvements to drainage.”

As a result the DOT is encouraging drivers to plan ahead when the work starts next summer.

“We will be reducing the four lanes (two lanes in each direction) to two lanes (one lane in each direction). This will be the configuration spring to fall each year until 2026,” she wrote.

“This is going to have a major impact on travelers over the next several summers,” she wrote.

“We will reopen the bridge to four lanes every winter. We also will have all the lanes back open for major holidays and events including Memorial Day, July 4, Watershed at the Gorge (August) and Labor Day,” Lott wrote.

The Vantage Bridge was built in 1962.

“The last time it received a major overhaul like this was 1982,” Lott wrote. “It’s in desperate need of a new bridge deck.”

Transportation department officials have started putting out information about the project to prepare drivers, especially people and businesses who are frequent travelers over the bridge, for spring and summer 2024. The DOT has a real-time travel map on its website. www.wsdot.com, that includes information on road construction and estimated delays. Travelers also can sign up for email and text updates, or check the WSDOT social media for travel information.

Cheryl Schweizer may be reached at [email protected].