Barriers narrow bridge; could remain until 2015

The Jersey-type protecton barriers which have been placed on the Highway 26 entry bridge at the north end of Colfax are expected to be in place until 2015, Carl Thompson, interum city manager, reported to the city council Monday night. Thompson said he met with state DOT officials who told him they don’t anticipate funding to make repairs until 2015.

Al Gilson, communications manager for the DOT Eastern Region, said the barriers are about 24 inches wide.

He said the width of the two lanes was 26 feet curb to curb and are now narrowed to 23.5 feet, the northbound lane remains 13 feet and the southbound lane 10.5 feet.

“The engineers want to reduce the potential of errant vehicles on the sidewalk,” Gilson explained.

Engineers are worried about the integrity of the sidewalk and do not want pedestrians on it, so crews will put a chainlink fence on top of the jersey barriers when all the supplies are available, Gilson said.

Two of the barriers were later removed because crews surmised trucks would have a tight fit around the corner, Gilson said.

The Walla Walla Highway bridge was built in 1938.

Thompson Monday night told the council the state has been asked to provide crosswalk markings to assist pedestrians who are now required to cross Highway 195 and use the other twin bridge, along the northbound lane 195, to cross the river and continue south along Main Street.