The Dalles Bridge Repairs Behind Schedule, Project Will Continue into Summer
ODOT has assured the public that there will be no weekend closures during the peak season of Cherry Harvest .
Under Construction. While the bridge currently looks pretty rough on top, CCCNews photographer Cole Goodwin couldn’t help but notice that it still looks quite beautiful when paired with newly blooming wildflowers. Photo Credit: Cole Goodwin
By Cole Goodwin
The Oregon Department of Transportation has announced that The Dalles Bridge ‘bridge deck repair’ project is behind schedule and will not be completed by May 30th as originally planned.
“Due to a range of challenges, compounded by labor and supply chain shortages related to the pandemic, the project is behind schedule and unfortunately completion will not happen by Memorial Day as planned.” reads the ODOT website.
ODOT has not released a new completion date for The Dalles Bridge deck resurfacing at this time but said that a new schedule would be forthcoming.
“A new schedule is being drafted, and we will be working with community partners to finalize a plan in the near future. Look for more updates coming in early May regarding this new schedule proposal.” reads the ODOT project website.
Construction on The Dalles bridge has been ongoing since September 6th, (Labor Day) of 2021.
Thursday through Friday and weekend closures of the bridge have presented a challenge to commuters in the Columbia River Gorge.
Traffic at stopped along SR-14 due to slope stabilization projects.
ODOT said they were aware of these challenges and were working to ensure there would be no weekend closures of The Dalles bridge during the peak cherry harvest season.
“We are working through these issues and adjusting our schedules, but we do anticipate needing additional weekend closures later this year. We know these closures can be challenging to navigate, and can guarantee that there will be no weekend closures during the peak cherry harvest season of June and July.” said ODOT.
However, projects taking place on either side of the river have continued to compound commuter challenges in the gorge for several months.
Ongoing construction projects include:
The Mitchell Point Tunnel Blasting: I-84 is undergoing intermittent twenty minute rolling slow downs to allow for safe blasting of the Mitchell Point tunnel on the Old Scenic Highway 30. Although, commuters may be glad to hear that blasting is expected to wrap up in early April of 2022.
Slope Stabilization and Rockfall Prevention Project: SR-14 has twenty minute to an hour slowdowns to allow construction crews to stabilize slopes with rockfall issues. Slope stabilization along SR-14 is expected to be completed by summer of 2022.
A flagger holds a stop sign on SR-14 to keep traffic from entering the Slope Stabilization project zone. In the background, construction workers drill into the cliff face so that they can install 20-ft metal rods to stabilize the slope.
“You know when you break a bone and they put a pin in your leg?" said the flagger. “It works kind of like that.”
In addition the flagger said that scaling work (to remove rocks that are susceptible to falling) had come to a standstill because construction crews had encountered a section that was too dangerous to scale without specialized machinery but that the machinery should arrive this week.
Once work on the slope has been complete, barriers will be installed along SR-14 to prevent rockfall from rolling into the road.
Are you impacted by The Dalles bridge closure for work, school, or play?
ODOT is partnering with Commute Options to help people get where they need to go. Follow the link below to check out your ride match options! Make new friends, save gas, and share the ride.
Questions? Contact kim@commuteoptions.org for more information.
