Groundbreaking in Aberdeen Battles High Winds With High Hopes

Aberdeen, WA - Supporters cheered through the rain in Aberdeen Saturday as Governer Chris Gregoire and state officials celebrated the start of the Pontoon Contruction project in Aberdeen.  "No matter how tough the times are today ladies and gentlemen, we're going to work here in Aberdeen." Flanked by local, government and tribal leaders, Gregoire thanked everyone involved in getting the project to this point; "This is a major milestone for all of us, it's going to keep Washington state moving into the 21st century."

Video Provided by Washington State Department of Transportation

State Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond said the weather was a perfect example of the neccesaty of replacement pontoons for the State Route 520 bridge.  "We are so proud that we can begin the construction to replace our vulnerable bridge, it's a windstorm like this that might take it out of play."

Phil Wallace, Project Director with Kiewit-General said at the  groundbreaking that construction could begin on the site as early as Thursday, beginning with the casting basin on the property near the intersection of South Division and West Heron Street. 

(Click The Story Title to listen to the entire groundbreaking from Saturday)

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