The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) said on Tuesday that crews finished annual cleaning work on State Route 305’s Agate Pass Bridge on State Route 305 three days ahead of schedule.
Maintenance crews had to temporarily restrict bridge access to one lane during daytime hours last week.
Cleaning maintenance is important to bridge longevity, as it reduces the effects of corrosion from the weather and driver wear-and-tear, and also enables bridge inspectors to conduct more thorough, accurate inspections.
Crews removed six tons of debris and dirt, installed LED lights to replace navigational lighting, spot-cleaned rusted portions and eliminated concrete to improve bridge inspections, among other tasks.
Many drivers used online travel tools provided by WSDOT to plan their trips and find detours, which helped reduce congestion at the WSDOT work site, allowing crews to finish the bridge work faster.
“We appreciate drivers’ patience and assistance,” Kevin Dayton, WSDOT’s regional administrator, said. “They play a key role in our success, and avoiding the bridge during the work was a big reason why we were able to get it done early.”
