Pull quote:

‘WSDOT is evaluating and prioritizing needs around the state and will determine which projects will be funded and which ones need to wait for additional funding. There are still more projects than there is money for them. That is a discussion that is happening right now, and Adams Road is part of that discussion. And even if funding for that bridge replacement is prioritized, it will likely take years rather than months.’ 

Sebastian Moraga, WSDOT communications consultant 

GEORGE — The Adams Road bridge over Interstate 90 is still closed to traffic and could be closed for some time. Washington Department of Transportation officials are analyzing the potential cost and where Adams Road fits in on the list of statewide projects. 

“The WSDOT is evaluating and prioritizing needs around the state and will determine which projects will be funded and which need to wait for additional funding,” wrote Sebastian Moraga, WSDOT communications consultant, in answer to an email from the Columbia Basin Herald. 

There are more repair projects statewide than there is money to pay for them, he said. 

“That is a discussion that is happening right now, and Adams Road is part of that discussion,” Moraga said. “Even if funding for that bridge replacement is prioritized, it will likely take years rather than months.”  

The bridge was closed March 4 due to concerns about its condition, when holes were discovered in the bridge deck. Moraga said inspections have confirmed those concerns. 

“Adams Road bridge has deteriorated to the point that it’s not safe to keep open, due to chloride contamination that has caused rebar to rust and break, which then causes the concrete to break apart,” Moraga said. “This contamination has affected all parts of the bridge, and it must be replaced.” 

Adams Road was closed after reports of visible damage, but four of the five overpasses between George and Moses Lake came under increased scrutiny after the Hansen Road overpass in Moses Lake was closed in January. 

Hansen Road also was found to have significant damage from chloride contamination, not only to the road surface but to the bridge supports. The Hiawatha Road overpass required some previously unscheduled repairs in February when damage was discovered to its bridge deck as well. 

Hiawatha Road has not deteriorated as much as the overpasses at Hansen or Adams roads, but it’s still in poor condition. It’s the primary detour route for people who would normally use Hansen Road, which includes residents of Mae Valley and south of I-90. Chris Keifenheim, WSDOT North Central regional administrator, said in earlier interviews that money has been included in the Hansen Road project for extra monitoring of Hiawatha. 

“Since we closed Hansen bridge, we said, ‘Let's take a real close look at Hiawatha.’ Hiawatha bridge is built same timeframe, 1958, so it is in similar condition to Hansen, but a little bit better,” Keifenheim said. “We're actually including some provisions in the contract for Hansen bridge that if we need to, we can make some temporary repairs, in order to keep Hiwatha open for the duration of the detour.” 

The Dodson Road overpass has been inspected but doesn’t need repairs. Keifenheim said the difference is partly a function of age. 

“The Dodson Road bridge was built in 1993, so it is 35 years younger than Hansen, Adams and Hiawatha,” Keifenheim said. “It was in much better condition than those three when it was last inspected in September 2025.”   

Keifenheim said the freeway overpasses at Broadway and State Route 17 (Pioneer Way) are newer and in better condition than the bridges further west. They undergo regular inspection, he said.  

Department of Transportation officials eventually decided to replace the Hansen Road overpass, a project that Keifenheim estimated would cost $15 to $17 million. Demolition of the existing bridge is scheduled for late June or early July.  

Randy Giles, WSDOT local construction engineer, said in earlier interviews that the Hansen Road construction will cause temporary closures of I-90, during certain periods of the project.  

Department of Transportation officials decided to expedite construction, and the new Hansen Road bridge is projected to open in December 2026 or January 2027.