King County is set to begin a vital construction project this summer on the Duvall Slough Bridge, located on NE Woodinville Duvall Road, east of West Snoqualmie Valley Road.
The bridge, which sees over 10,000 vehicles daily, will undergo significant repairs to ensure its longevity and safety.
Bridge Repair Details
The project involves removing the top half-inch of worn-out concrete on the bridge deck and replacing it with one-and-a-half inches of new concrete. Additionally, both bridge approaches will be rebuilt, and two bridge expansion joints will be repaired. These repairs are crucial for extending the bridge’s life by 30 years.
Construction Timeline and Road Closures
Construction will start on July 15, 2024, requiring a six-week closure of NE Woodinville Duvall Road between State Route 203 (Main Street/Carnation Duvall Road) and West Snoqualmie Valley Road.
Due to the bridge’s narrowness, the road must be entirely closed to traffic, which prevents maintaining a safe work area with an open lane. Traffic vibrations must also be avoided during concrete repaving and expansion joint work.
Before the main construction phase, crews will reduce traffic to one lane on NE Woodinville Duvall Road between W. Snoqualmie River Rd. NE and W. Snoqualmie Valley Rd. NE on July 2nd and 3rd from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day to survey the bridge.
Detour Information
A signed detour will guide drivers around the construction zone, adding approximately 15 minutes to travel time on a 7-mile-long route. King County is coordinating with WSDOT to minimize traffic delays on the detour route, which includes West Snoqualmie Valley Road and State Route 203.
Why This Project is Necessary
The 75-year-old concrete deck of the Duvall Slough Bridge has suffered extensive damage, with cracks and large potholes exposing the steel rebar in some places. Temporary repairs have been insufficient, and water seeping through the cracks has exacerbated the deterioration. Repairing the bridge expansion joints is also essential, as the old joints no longer accommodate the necessary expansion and contraction of the concrete, leading to further cracking.
Planning Ahead
King County understands that this closure will inconvenience many drivers. They encourage residents and commuters to plan ahead and explore alternative routes or modes of transportation during the construction period.
This necessary project will ultimately preserve a vital east-west corridor and ensure the safety and reliability of the Duvall Slough Bridge for decades to come.
