MCKENZIE BRIDGE, Oregon (STPNS) -- VIDA: Continued rehabilitation work will result in more night closures for the Goodpasture Covered Bridge. The bridge closures planned for next week, Thursday night, February 14th and Friday night, February 15th, have been cancelled and rescheduled for Monday night, February 25th, Tuesday night, February 26th, and Wednesday night, February 27th.  These closures will be from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Recently, steel trusses were used to add temporary support while work was done on the lower chords of the timber trusses and post-tensioning was added to the wooden structure. When the steel trusses are removed, a permanent bridge rail will be installed over the next two weeks along, with new decking and fresh exterior paint.



As in the past, a detour route for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists will not be available during the bridge closures. Firefighting equipment and an emergency response vehicle will be parked on the south side of the bridge before the bridge is closed. McKenzie Fire and Rescue has developed a response plan to address any medical or fire emergencies.

In the event of a medical emergency, the 911 dispatcher will contact the emergency service providers and the onsite bridge inspector. In that situation, work on the bridge will be stopped immediately and the construction zone stabilized to allow passage of emergency personnel. The first responders will park on the north side of the bridge, then walk across the bridge and use the emergency response vehicle parked on the south side to get to the emergency. The first responders will then transport the patient to the bridge where an ambulance will be waiting for them. If the call requires the use of a helicopter, one will be dispatched and will land at one of the two predetermined landing zones on the south side of the bridge.

The rehabilitation project total construction cost of $2 million is funded through a federal grant (Highway Bridge Program) and a 10.27% match from the Lane County Road Fund. It is scheduled for completion by December.