The bridge located on South First between S.E. Crestline Drive and S.W. Desert Sky Drive will fully close to all traffic beginning Monday, Feb. 4 so the contractor can fully replace it.
The contractor working on the project has 45 days to complete all work with the replacement, and drivers should plan for the closure to last for the duration of the contract.
Traffic control, and detour signage will be set out during the day on Friday, Feb. 1, notifying drivers of the impending closure. Staging of the signage will also allow for immediate closure first thing Monday morning.
Replacement of the South First canal crossing is one of several Capital Improvement Plan priority projects approved by the Hermiston City Council in 2017. The existing canal crossing is approaching the end of its useful life, and will be replaced with a much wider box culvert in order to accommodate continued growth along this key north-south corridor.
“Due to the canal and railroad crossings in this area, there simply aren’t any easy detours, which is why as our community continues to grow to the south, we need to work hard to develop additional street routes through this area,” said Hermiston Assistant City Manager Mark Morgan.
