PACIFIC NORTHWEST EDITION
A Supplement to:
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July 16 2023 Vol. VII • No. 15
“The Nation’s Best Read Construction Newspaper… Founded in 1957.” Your Pacific Northwest Connection – Sharon Swanson – 1-760-518-4336 – sswanson@cegltd.com
Carter and Company Rebuilding Salt Creek Span By Lori Tobias CEG CORRESPONDENT
Contractors in Yamhill County, Ore., are preparing to pour the deck on a new bridge in the rural town of Amity with an eye toward completing it in approximately six months. The opening can’t come a day too soon. The original wood Salt Creek Bridge — also known as Ash Swale — was installed in 1951 and expected to be in service for approximately 50 years. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) managed to squeeze an extra 20 years out of it through regular maintenance and repairs. But it hasn‘t aways been easy on travelers, especially those with bigger rigs. “The existing bridge was an old timber bridge,” said Douglas Keys, assistant resident engineer, ODOT Area 3. “It was structurally deficient, and had only a 9-ton load rating, which is really bad. About 18 tons is normal. So, if a semi was heavier than 9 tons, they were not allowed to go over the old bridge.” The weight restrictions went into effect in March 2020 and applied to vehicles including medium and large trucks, as well as school buses and large farm equipment. Those vehicles were required to detour to Highway 99W. Construction crews with the Salem-based Carter and Company began construction on the new $7.6 million bridge in June 2022, closing the existing bridge to all traffic. After building a temporary work bridge, they demolished the old bridge. see CARTER page 11
Construction crews with the Salem-based Carter and Company began construction on the new $7.6 million bridge in June 2022, closing the existing bridge to all traffic. After building a temporary work bridge, they demolished the old bridge.