Part of a joint connecting the temporary span of the I-5 Skagit River Bridge to the permanent section came loose Saturday morning prompting crews to close the bridge for emergency welding work.
Lane closures in both directions of Interstate 5 at the Skagit River Bridge near Burlington may cause slight delays Saturday night. Bridge maintenance crews will close up to one lane at a time on the bridge from 8 p.m. Saturday, July 27 to 5 a.m. Sunday, July 28 while they inspect “L” joints at either end of the temporary replacement span.
Earlier Saturday, part of an “L” joint that helps hold the asphalt in place between the temporary span and the permanent roadway came loose. The right lane of southbound I-5 at the bridge was closed from approximately 9:45 to 11:30 a.m. while crews welded the joint back into place and spread new asphalt.
Crews will inspect the remaining “L” joints Saturday night to ensure they remain securely in place.
A portion of the Skagit River Bridge on I-5 collapsed on May 23, after a semitruck struck critical steel supports. This vital corridor carries 71,000 vehicles daily.