Bridge pier damage leads to LG crossing shutdown

The Corps of Engineers Friday closed vehicle and pedestrian crossing over Lower Granite Dam because soil adjacent to the bottom of one of the bridge pier foundations for the Almota-Ferry Road was moved on Feb. 5. The road leads to the south shore vehicle entrance to go across the dam from Garfield County.

Corps spokesman Bruce Henrickson said construction digging on the dam’s Juvenile Fish Facility’s primary dewatering structure led to the soil movement.

Henrickson said corps geotechnical and structural engineers did preliminary evaluations of the sub-surface conditions and load carrying capacity of the bridge piers Feb. 5. They also considered the weather forecasts for increased winds and rain expected during the next several days, and determined there was an unacceptable level of uncertainty about safety, and decided to restrict the use of the bridge to minimize risk.

Henrickson said engineering experts are analyzing the situation further and looking at options. He said corps staff met Monday afternoon to further assess the situation and look at options for repairs.

The Visitor Center and south-shore recreation areas west of the dam on Almota-Ferry Road remain accessible only from the south riverbank.

There is no access to the Offield Landing boat launch on the upstream side of the dam’s south shoreline during the south-approach bridge closure.

There are several nearby locations which offer public boat launches such as Boyer Park and Marina, Illia Landing, Wawawai Landing, Blyton Landing, Willow Landing and the Port of Garfield.