Weight restrictions have been posted on the southbound Sullivan Road Bridge across the Spokane River. The older of two that span the river at that location, the sixty-year-old bridge is showing signs of deterioration, such as cracks in the girders and deterioration of the bridge surface.
The restrictions will help limit further deterioration until the bridge can be replaced. The decision to post the restrictions was not an easy one due to the large number of heavy commercial vehicles that use it and the significant economic impact of restricting those vehicles. City engineers hoped that a firm replacement date for the bridge would be identified before it became necessary to post restrictions.
Plans for replacing the bridge are already under way, with design work anticipated to begin this year. About half of the estimated $19.7 million needed to replace the bridge has been received from federal sources distributed through WSDOT, and from the state Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board. Additional funding sources are being sought to make up the balance.
Detailed descriptions of weight restrictions are available here by selecting the Public Works link under the Departments tab.