MOSES LAKE — Demolition will begin July 7 on the overpass at Hansen Road in Moses Lake. Washington Department of Transportation officials will release a list of recommended detours on July 1.  

The overpass was closed in mid-January when an inspection uncovered significant damage, not only to the road surface but also to the bridge structure. It’s been closed since. Department of Transportation officials opted to replace it rather than repair the existing bridge.  

Chris Keifenheim, North Central Region administrator, estimated earlier the replacement cost at $15 to $17 million. Construction is projected to be completed by late December or early January. 

Summer Derrey, public information officer for the WSDOT South Central region, told the Columbia Basin Herald in an earlier interview that the design of the new bridge would be different than the old. 

“The existing bridge sits on spread footing foundations, and is a four-span bridge, meaning there are three sets of columns and both bridge ends," Derrey said. "The new bridge is anticipated to have different foundations and two spans with a set of columns in the median. The foundation type is anticipated to be drilled shafts. The advantage of the new bridge is that two columns will be gone, which will be fewer objects in the clear zone."   

The new bridge will be built with longevity in mind. 

“The new bridge will be built to current design standards,” Derrey said. “The current bridge lasted 68 years; the new bridge will have a lifespan of 75 years.” 

Ephrata drivers will be encountering delays next week as chip-sealing work is scheduled on some city streets.  

Crews are scheduled to be working from June 29 to July 2, but that depends on weather, said Rob Miller, Ephrata city clerk and public information officer.  

Road crews will start on Airport Street Southeast, then move to Third Avenue Northeast followed by First Avenue Northeast and Frey Road. Work on Alder Street, both northwest and southwest, is scheduled for the second day, with A Street Northeast as the last location. 

Ephrata City Engineer Shawn O’Brien said in an earlier interview the layer of rock and oil will be applied first; once it’s cured, it’s covered with a protective layer. O’Brien said some roads will be reconfigured to add poarking and bike lanes.  

Miller said that while the roadwork temporarily snarls traffic, it’s necessary maintenance.  

“Chip sealing helps to extend the life of our roadways and keep them in good condition with a shorter project time and less cost than resurfacing them. Maintaining these roadways keeps them safe for residents,” Miller said. “We know that construction and maintenance projects are inconvenient for our residents and visitors, but they remain necessary. Our staff contractors, in this case Sierra Santa Fe, work to ensure that disruptions are minimal.” 

Quincy drivers already have encountered road closures on A Street Northeast, where crews are rebuilding a section of A Street Northeast. The street will be repaved with sidewalks added on one side of the street and a guardrail between the street and the train tracks on the other side.