Drivers who use eastbound State Route 18 near Auburn should be prepared for overnight closures of the Green River (Neeley) bridge on Wednesday, July 15, and Thursday, July 16.

Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation must close the eastbound bridge as they prepare to paint the span this summer.

Closure information

· Wednesday, July 15, and Thursday, July 16 – Both eastbound lanes will be closed nightly from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

· The Southeast Auburn-Black Diamond Road on-ramp to eastbound SR 18 will also be closed 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Drivers should use alternate routes and allow additional travel time to get around the bridge.

During these closures, the contractor crews will install overhead cables on the span. The cables will help hold a work platform and containment system in place on the bridge. These are the first two of up to 20 full closures for the work.

Project information

The paint on the 56-year-old bridge is peeling and flaking, resulting in rust and corrosion. Crews will sandblast the steel to remove old paint and surface rust before applying primer and fresh paint. The new coat of paint will help protect the steel truss bridge for another 20 years.  The $2.2 million project is scheduled to be complete in the fall.

It is one of four bridge preservation projects in King and Snohomish counties this year.