Bridge takes shape

The new Mark Clark Bridge takes shape. It will be much lower than the existing bridge. PHOTO BY JEREMIAH O In response to readers’ requests, the NEWS will run weekly updates on the General Mark Clark Bridge project on Camano Island and the SR532 corridor project in Stanwood.

On Friday, Washington State Department of Transportation crews will install the last three girders connecting the long center span to the west side of the river. The first two were installed last week.

As with the east side of the bridge, crews are removing the temporary work platforms as they go.

Crews also began work on the east approach road. They will fill the area with rock and gravel before building a special slab over the rail tracks under the bridge. Building a slab over the tracks, rather than using girders, enables appropriate clearance for rail cars while keeping the bridge’s profile much lower than the existing bridge.

There will be very short nighttime lane closures near the bridge so dump trucks can turn in and out of the construction zone. There may also be minor delays as the final girders are delivered.

Next week, crews will begin work on the west approach. Stacked “baskets” of gravel will be used to bring the roadway up to the elevation of the bridge.

This week, between I-5 and Stanwood, crews are beginning work on a westbound acceleration lane near Lenz sand and gravel pit. Nighttime lane closures are necessary as crews excavate and grade a level surface to accommodate the wider roadway. It will be re-striped with an acceleration lane in the center, so trucks turning left out of Lenz can come up to speed before merging into traffic.

Visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ Northwest/Snohomish/Construction for specific lane closure information, or www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/ sr532 for general project information.