Tag Archives: South Colby

Tidying up inquiries on South Colby bridge job

The in basket: A commenter going by Verdann on the Road Warrior blog at kitsapsun.com is among some readers who read the entry saying the South Colby bridge being replaced will be done by December and wondered why the static signs posted just before Southworth Drive is closed say March.

And The Judybaker, my wife, said she had wrongly concluded that the job was done already because the being electronic message board on Mile Hill Drive near Baby Doll Road had been removed.

The out basket: Doug Bear of Kitsap County Public Works, which has contracted the job, says, “The project contract runs through December, and we expect the project will be completed by then.

“(But) because major components of the project are scheduled during the fall when inclement weather can delay and postpone work, we’ve asked for an additional window of time to allow for weather-related delays. This allows delayed work to be rescheduled without further resolution from the Board of County Commissioners.

“The bridge will be opened to traffic as soon as the work is completed,” Doug said.

As for removal of the electronic sign, he said, it “was intended to be placed for a limited time.  It helps increase awareness for regular commuters that the project is starting.

“We have a limited number of these types of signs and use them for road projects throughout the county, and move them frequently. There are signs near the project site routing infrequent users to detour routes.”

What’s holding up work on closed SK bridge?

The in basket: Danielle Garringer asked back on July 24 what was holding up work on the bridge in South Colby, replacement of which has closed Southworth Drive for over a month.

I had noticed on July 10 that nothing much seemed to have gotten done.

“Our normal little drive into Manchester or even to get down Mile Hill is very hard now with the bridge all blocked off because they are supposedly tearing it down,” Danielle wrote. “Only thing is, it’s been a month and the bridge is still standing, At least tear it down so I feel like driving all the way around is justifiable! I kind of feel like my 5-year-old could tear it down faster than they are.”

Tuesday morning I visited the site and saw that a wrecking ball finally was pounding away at the old bridge.

I asked what has been going on.

The out basket: Danielle and I (and I’d guess most people) assumed that the replacement of a bridge would begin with demolition of the old one. We were wrong.

Doug Bear of Kitsap County Public Works says, “The project is on schedule. They have completed construction of the drilled shafts (pile supports) for the new bridge.  There are eight shafts, 4.5 feet in diameter, 55 feet deep on the east side, 75 feet deep on the west.

“Each shaft includes installing a steel reinforcing bar (full depth), and the backfilling with concrete.  In addition, each shaft has been sonic tested to ensure that there are no voids in the shafts.

“This work could not have been completed without closing the bridge. Bridge demolition work began last week. The actual demolition of the bridge began yesterday. (Aug. 1). The contract for work on the bridge runs through December.”