Bridge painting progresses as weather allows

A significant capital maintenance project on the Hood River Interstate Bridge has been underway since early August, and due to early reports that the bridge is in relatively sound condition, additional sections have been added to the first phase of the Lower Chord Rehabilitation Project.

The scope of the project originally focused on prepping and painting the connections (gusset plates) on the lower chords, which run the full length of the bridge closest to the water and are the most "fracture critical" members, and out at least six inches on all the vertical and diagonal connectors. The contractor was also directed to do spot painting work where severe pack rust was found in other locations along the lower chords. See photos here

After the first month of work, and positive reports about the condition of the connections once stripped of paint, the Port Commission added the full length of the lower chord north of the lift span to the project. These represent the next most fracture critical components, and would have been rehabilitated in a future phase.

Although the bridge paint is showing wear, and there are bare spots and surface rust on some sections, the steel inspected thus far has not demonstrated extreme corrosion or pitting. This means the additional lower chord work can be sandblasted to a lower degree than the connections, called a "brush off blast," then recoated. Adding the entire lower chords on the north half of the bridge to the project is more economical in the long run, since equipment and crew are mobilized, and scaffolding and containment in place. However, the Port Commission was uncertain its cash flow would allow it until it received reports that the project was proceeding without major pack-rust or corrosion repair work.

The Port estimated $250,000 per span for fracture critical member spot painting, which totals $4.75 million for all 19 spans. The Port has budgeted approximately $1 million per year for the next fi ve years. The contractor will complete as many northern spans as possible in 2011 before heavy rain patterns set in. Ideally, any remaining northern spans and all the southern spans will be completed in 2012, beginning in spring as early as weather permits.

A second phase to the bridge painting project will now likely include painting the upper chord connections, cross bracing, and components just below the deck. The Port Commission will decide when that phase will begin within the next few years.

S & K Painting, a 38-year-old Oregon company, is the contractor for the Lower Chord Rehabilitation Project. HNTB provides construction management and engineering, and Bear Inspecting and Consulting provides inspection services. As the painting project progresses, needed repair work may be noted and possibly performed.

Brian Sipe, project superintendent for S & K Painting, has worked in the industry for 25 years, but never on a mile-long bridge such as the Hood River Interstate Bridge. After two months of work, S & K is partway through the fourth span. "We just started, but by the time this Lower Chord fi rst phase is over, we'll really know what kind of shape the bridge is in. With a good painting system like this, our work will last 30 years or more, but the entire bridge will need to be done eventually," Sipe relayed.

Single lane closures will continue throughout the project. The Port urges bridge patrons to allow for delays anywhere from fi ve to 15 minutes, between 6:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. By and large delays have been limited to fi ve minutes. Bridge users can sign up for electronic notifi cations of bridge traffic delays or closures at: www.portofhoodriver.com