SPOKANE, Wash. — After a short delay, the Hatch Road Bridge in Spokane has officially reopened.
Drivers can now utilize the repaired bridge to access U.S. 195 and the South Hill in Spokane. The opening is approximately three weeks ahead of the estimated July 31 completion date.
“This project presented one of the most impactful detours for drivers and we are thrilled to be able to open the route up earlier than expected,” Kirstin Davis, the Spokane Publics Works Communications Manager, said in a written statement.
The city originally said in a press release the bridge would be open on Thursday, July 7. That information was later updated to say the bridge would reopen during the week of July 11 due to a section of the bridge that still needed further attention.
Davis told KREM 2 on Monday that the city was confident the bridge would reopen by Friday.
“We know this detour has been one of the most challenging because there aren’t other nearby options," Kyle Twohig, Director of Engineering Services, said. “We are very pleased the team was able to complete the work ahead of schedule and provide much-needed benefits to the intersection.”
The city closed the Hatch Road Bridge on March 29 to replace the bridge deck. The replacement was expected to take at least four months and the closure was expected to remain in place until at least July 31.
During the closure, drivers were not able to access Highway 195 via Hatch Drive, and drivers on the Highway were not able to use Hatch Drive to access the South Hill.
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