$1.1 million overpass damage on I-82 south of Kennewick

Crews are working to demolish and remove a damaged girder from the Interstate 82 overpass at Locust Grove Road exit just south of Kennewick after it was struck by a semi hauling an over-sized load Dec. 16, causing an estimated $1.1 million in damage.

Gov. Jay Inslee signed an emergency proclamation to free up state money to make repair it.

Drivers traveling south can’t access eastbound Highway 397, and northbound travelers can’t access westbound to Locust Grove Road during the project, which is expected to last through Friday, Jan. 10. The southbound lanes are open but temporarily narrowed.

Local traffic can detour using Coffin Road or Badger Road interchanges, according to a Washington State Department of Transportation.

A second contract will install a new girder in early spring.

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This story was originally published January 8, 2020 at 11:36 AM.