The communities of Black Diamond and Enumclaw reconnected last Friday when the State Route 169 bridge spanning the Green River reopened to traffic. WSDOT crews closed the bridge on Nov. 18 for emergency long-term repairs.

“This project was needed to provide a safer bridge for the people of Black Diamond and Enumclaw who depend on it each day to get to school and to work,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary.

The repair work was more than a year in the making. Phase one began in June 2008 when geotechnical engineers noticed small movements in the ground beneath the south end of the bridge. WSDOT hired contractor crews to make low-cost, low-impact repairs. Crews installed soil nail walls, a maze of drains and sprayed the area with concrete to stabilize the soil and protect the bridge supports.

In November 2008, torrential downpours caused the earth to shift at an unacceptable rate. WSDOT geotechnical engineers closed the bridge to make more substantial repairs to protect drivers and the bridge.

WSDOT spent nearly $8 million in federal emergency funding and made repairs from November 2008 through June 2009. Crews built a 160-foot-long, 90-foot-deep retaining wall to manage the pressure of an ancient 300-acre landslide. Crews finished the wall this month.

“We understand that it had to be closed for safety reasons,” said State Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn. “But it was still tough.”

“This has been especially hard on Black Diamond, which counts on tourism dollars from pass-through traffic to Mount Rainier on SR 169,” Black Diamond Mayor Howard Botts said.

“Enumclaw counts on the road for tourists, as well,” Enumclaw Mayor John Wise said. “The economic downturn was tough to weather. We’re just happy the road is finally open.”

At 3 p.m. last Friday, the bridge reopened to traffic. Drivers are encouraged to use the road to get to Mount Rainier and the King County Fair in Enumclaw, which begins July 16.

For more information on the project go to: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR169/GreenRiverRepair/.