WashDOT swiftly replaced a destroyed wooden bridge on a short line railroad with a 210-foot steel and concrete structure for $1.7 million. The 197-foot bridge in Whitman County handles 2,600 rail cars each year; crucial for transporting agricultural goods to markets. A wildfire hit during peak harvest, with storage facilities full; halting all planned rail shipments. Swift bridge replacement was vital for the rural economy. This $1.7 million project replaced the bridge within two months – enabling farmers, shippers, ports, and businesses to resume transporting their agricultural products. As one of the nation’s leading wheat-producing regions, the Whitman County economy relies heavily on efficient product distribution to global markets. WSDOT swiftly replaced the bridge with a more resilient 210-foot steel and concrete structure that reopened a critical agricultural lifeline poised to offer longer and more durable lifespan.
America's Transportation Awards 