The Elwha River Bridge on Highway 101 west of Port Angeles reopened to vehicle traffic this morning after being closed for nine days to allow contractors to construct the approaches to the new bridge. Travelers will see occasional one-way alternating traffic with flaggers during work hours as permanent striping and signing are completed along with work on high friction surface treatment.

 
The new bridge is 40 feet wide with two 12-foot lanes and 8-foot wide shoulders to accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians.  The new bridge span meets modern earthquake standards and has a gentler curve on its westbound approach.

Crews will now begin demolishing the old bridge, which was built nearly a hundred years ago in 1926.  Over the last several years, the Elwha River has dramatically changed its course and flow, leading to significant erosion around the bridge foundations.  As a result highway engineers estimate the riverbed around the bridge’s piers had lowered 14 feet.  Crews will also continue installing engineered log jams to help restore more natural river conditions.  The entire project is expected to be completed in the late fall.