Rock Creek Bridge project postponed to at least July 22

ODOT has announced that the new Rock Creek Bridge project has been pushed back until at least July 22.

The announcement was made before the Lonerock Fire started and now, Highway 206 is a thoroughfare for firefighters.

The new Rock Creek Bridge is expected to be a big project and will shut down the Condon-Heppner Highway for at least three weeks. In total, the project will take several months and will likely finish in mid to late November.

Staging equipment has been brought to the site, with traffic lights and heavy machinery in place.

However, the project could be delayed further if the Lonerock fire continues to be a problem.

Another issue that will present barriers is the upcoming wheat harvest. Dozens of farmers in the area have wheat crops and will need to reroute trucks should Highway 206 close.

ODOT determined that the 90-year-old bridge needed to be replaced in 2023 after the state agency's lead engineer found it had suffered structural damage from debris. ODOT also said that high water levels had resulted in closures during spring months.

Some locals have disputed these claims, saying that the water had crested the bridge on rare occasions.

Still, ODOT had identified the bridge as being in critical condition and in need of replacement instead of repair.

With thick basalt in Rock Creek and at the bridge site, construction crews are bracing for an extensive project.

ODOT believes that pulling rock out of the creek and working to establish new columns will be extremely challenging.

Still, ODOT says that they are conscious of the need to reopen the road as soon as possible and hopes that the bridge closure will take just two to three weeks before traffic can resume.

The project is expected to take several additional months with work continuing into the late fall until completion.