The Rock Creek Bridge, which is being rebuilt on Oregon Highway 206, known as the Condon/Heppner Highway, will continue to be fully closed until October 27.
Both sides of the bridge are closed as construction enters final stages of the project.
The ninety-year-old bridge was identified by ODOT as needing to be replaced due to age and ongoing wear and tear from debris that moves downstream with rapid thaws in the late winter and early spring. ODOT said that during high water flow periods, the bridge sometimes "over-tops" – meaning the water overflows and covers the bridge. ODOT also said that many of the bridge's girders had cracks in them, caused by debris collisions, mainly drift wood. ODOT said that maintance costs at the bridge had also been a factor in its decision to replace the old bridge.
The $5.4 million project was delayed during the summer due to the Lonerock Fire. ODOT planned to star demolition on the bridge just after the 4th of July, but the Lonerock Fire, which required a thoroughfare for firefighting vehicles, pushed this out for several weeks.
Crews had expected to finish the new Rock Creek Bridge by mid-November but no final end date has been given by ODOT.
The Times-Journal will provide more information when it is made available.
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