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.

Hi Ciscoe, what are these red dots on my maple tree and what should I do?  Jeff from Lacey.

My neighbor has a beautiful bush rose that is lipstick in color and has many buds on it.  Can you please tell me what this is? Paul

Do you know why the very tips of some of my apple tree branches/sprouts are all shriveled and dry while the majority of my apple tree looks thriving and beautiful? Do you think that improved Meyer lemon and pink variegated lemon trees can be planted outside in Seattle now that we are technically zone 9a? What month is the best to trim fruit trees here in Seattle? Sarah

The young whale was enticed to the lagoon outlet by members of two local first nation tribes using a small inflatable vessel and sea lion meat.  The escape involved swimming through a swift-moving, narrow channel and underneath a bridge and then immediately swimming toward the open ocean and making calls for its extended family members, according to rescue officials.

The orca has been the focus of intense rescue efforts since March 23, when her pregnant mother became stranded on a rocky beach and died. 

There were concerns that the young whale might strand itself on the same rocky beach where her mother died during low tide.

The Canadian Fisheries Department will now work with First Nations, whale watchers, researchers and boaters to monitor the location of the orca calf's extended Bigg's killer whale family.

The rescue team will continue to monitor the young orca's whereabouts, her condition, and if she has a chance to reunite with family.

Dennis again. One more pic of that seed-shooting weed.

Hi Ciscoe - We have a Dracaena Marginata (his name is Oscar ;)) that is 40+ years old and very tall (~8-9'). We repotted him several years back and added new soil in the last year as well as fertilized. He has been very happy in the same location for 4 years but in the last few months several of the branches have started to yellow then brown and fall off (see attached picture). The branch itself feels kind of squishy like it's rotting. However, I am very careful about watering him and only do so when he is beyond a finger's length into the soil. I am not sure what to do at this point. Any ideas what could be going on and a remedy to try?

Thanks so much! #saveoscar  Camille

Hello,

I Hybridize & grow Dahlias in a 32 x 50 plot, on 5 acres.  I've never used Beneficial Nematodes but I'm interested in giving them a try.  It seems that there are different types of Nematodes.  Can you recommend which ones would be best for my purposes?

Also, one of my Blueberry bushes had "rusty spots" on the leaves last year.  Should I be spraying something on it to prevent it?  I have 3 azaleas with it also.  Cindy

How do I safely remove the moss from the Dogwood and Japanese Maple. Thank you.  Rod