Knee replacement surgery but for bridges: Preserving the Chehalis River Bridge in Aberdeen

By Angela Cochran

As people get older, we start to notice our bodies aren’t as nimble as they used to be. We start feeling aches and pains and even a little creaky in our knees.

This is also true of our bridges. As they age, parts start to wear down and need repair or replacement.

Think of bridge bearings like the joints in your body. They allow the bridge to move and flex with changes in temperature, traffic loads and even during natural events like windstorms. Just like our joints need to stay in good shape to keep us moving, bridge bearings are crucial for keeping a bridge functional.

Built in 1955, the Chehalis River Bridge connects people in north and south Aberdeen.

As the US 101 Chehalis River Bridge approaches its 70th year connecting north and south Aberdeen, important components are deteriorating and need replacing. Over the years, rocker bearings under the north side of the bridge have experienced wear and tear. Here’s why replacing them is important.

1. Safety First : Worn-out bearings can compromise the bridge's stability. Replacing them helps keep the bridge operational and open to travelers.
2. Preventing Damage : If bearings fail, it can lead to more severe damage to the bridge structure itself. Think of it like ignoring a bad knee—it might lead to bigger problems down the road.
3. Longevity : Replacing the bearings helps preserve the bridge and ensures it can continue serving the community for many more years to come.

What ’s happening

Work will take place under the H Street and G Street on the north side of the bridge.

The replacement process involves some careful planning and engineering. The good news is the bridge will remain open to travelers. People who use the bridge overnight will see some temporary changes to how they enter and exit the bridge. Crews will start work on Friday, Nov. 15 to raise the portion of the bridge over East State Street. During this time, the on-ramp from southbound US 101/H Street will close. Travelers will follow a signed detour via the West State Street ramp to get onto the bridge.

One of eight rocker bearings that will be replaced to keep the bridge in good working order.

The bearings are located inside of the bridge’s support columns or piers. The closure allows workers to lift the bridge slightly, less than an inch, and place temporary supports. For about three weeks, crews will work to remove the old bearings and install new ones. During this time, East State Street will close around the clock under the bridge where crews are working.

Once work is complete under H Street, crews will close it again to lower the bridge back to its original position. Then the process will be repeated under northbound US 101/G Street. The G Street exit from the bridge will close twice while we raise and lower that section. People will use the West State Street exit ramp during those times.

Closure schedule

The southbound US 101/H Street ramp to the Chehalis River Bridge will close:

• 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14 to 5 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15
• 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 to 5 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6

The northbound Chehalis River Bridge ramp to US 101/G Street will close:

• 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 to 5 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
• 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2 to 5 a.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2025

Be sure to check our app and statewide travel map to get real-time closure information before heading out the door.

Preservation funding challenges

This bridge bearing replacement project is one of 11 preservation projects statewide that were funded in 2024 by the State Legislature. Preservation projects aren’t about building new infrastructure – they help extend the useful life of an asset, such as a bridge. Every asset has a lifespan, and for bridges, that is an average of 75 years. Many of our bridges are either approaching the end of their lifespan or are even well over it. Fully funding our preservation backlog of $1 billion would greatly reduce emergent repairs to our transportation system.

In the meantime, our dedicated bridge maintenance crews continue to take innovative steps to keep this bridge and others operational for as long as possible.

So, next time you travel over the Chehalis River Bridge, think about the behind-the-scenes work that keeps it in shape. It's all about keeping our infrastructure safe, reliable, and ready for the future.