Plan for extra travel time this weekend on US 101 in Hoquiam

Hoquiam, WA - Drivers heading to ocean beaches this weekend should pack sun block and extra patience due to the US 101 Simpson Avenue Bridge closure in Hoquiam.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) encourages drivers to travel at off-peak times to minimize delays. The best times to travel westbound on US 101 is before 3 p.m. and after 7 p.m. on Friday, and eastbound on US 101 before noon or after 5 p.m. on Sunday.

WSDOT installed temporary traffic cameras on US 101 to help travelers plan ahead during the bridge closure:

• View northbound camera


• View southbound camera

The Riverside Bridge is reconfigured to accommodate two-way traffic during the closure. This reduces the capacity of US 101 in Hoquiam by half so delays can be expected. Vehicles pulling travel trailers and motor homes are able to use the detour route.

WSDOT closed the US 101 Simpson Avenue Bridge on August 5, until further notice after severe degradation of piles in the easterly pier was discovered. Engineers determined the closure necessary for preservation of the bridge’s safety and structural integrity.

A temporary fix is scheduled to be in place by mid-September that will reopen the bridge to traffic. Those repairs are expected to cost $2 million, and a permanent repair could cost between $10 million and $20 million.

For more information visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US101/SimpsonBridgePierRepair/.