EVERETT — A rainy forecast has delayed repaving work on the westbound U.S. 2 trestle for a third time.
The bridge had been expected to be closed this weekend. Instead, work now gets pushed to the next scheduled closure, 7 p.m. on June 29 to 4 a.m. on July 2. Work was cancelled twice before, in May and early June.
A waterproof material used in the project requires “not one drop” of rain before or during its application, or the material won’t adhere properly and the warranty is void, said Ally Barrera, a state Department of Transportation spokeswoman.
“We get the frustration. We’re equally as frustrated,” Barrera said. “We see a whole week of perfect weather, and it finally gets to the weekend and we have that rain (forecast) we can’t work through.”
The state estimated earlier that it will take six full-weekend closures to make repairs and repave the westbound span. The sixth closure is now scheduled for Aug. 18-20.
When work does start, the westbound trestle will be closed, with a one-lane detour on 20th Street below the bridge. Later closures will involve longer one-lane detours on Highway 9. Drivers are urged to stay home, plan for delays or find alternate routes.
Closing the trestle is the biggest piece of a $7.8 million repaving project that includes completed work on sections east of the trestle, up to Bickford Avenue.
Keep track of closures
Current information on U.S. 2 closures — and other lane and road closures related to state road projects in Snohomish County — can be found online at tinyurl.com/WSDOTWork.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.