Plan for major delays at the Warren Avenue bridge (SR 303) in Bremerton over three weekends

By Doug Adamson

The patchwork of concrete repairs across the Warren Avenue bridge in Bremerton illustrates a solid point. Some serious work is needed to help keep the driving surface in good working order.

We’re gearing up to make many repairs across the bridge. We’ll need your help to do it.

Over three weekends in July, the busy span will be reduced to one lane in each direction. There are no times when it's convenient to do this so we’re doing the work when there’s less traffic. Construction crews will jackhammer away failing concrete and pour back a fresh surface.

Here’s the schedule

8 p.m. Friday, July 8 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 11
8 p.m. Friday, July 15 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 18
8 p.m. Friday, July 22 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 25

The Warren Avenue bridge has a patchwork of repairs across the span. Closing half of the bridge each weekend allows our crews to make numerous repairs all at once.

Important note

Crews will jackhammer out failing concrete and clean up debris. They will then pour new concrete. There might be times when you don’t see any workers while lanes are closed. This is due to the time needed for concrete to cure before it can reopen to traffic.

We’re closing half of the Warren Avenue bridge each weekend, which will create significant backups.

Short-term pain, long-term gain

It’s very important to have a driving surface that’s in good shape. It goes beyond a smoother ride. Water can do a number on bridges and highways. In this case, water seeps below the surface of the roadway and causes more damage. This can lead to unplanned lane closures while maintenance crews make emergency repairs.

Please have a strategy

Approximately 37,000 vehicles a day use this route. Our engineers believe there could be backups as much as eight miles in each direction during the weekend work.

If possible, please avoid using the bridge each weekend. If you have to go, consider traveling early in the morning or late in the day and give yourself plenty of extra time. Use transit, carpool, vanpool or work from home or remote office locations if possible. If you must drive, please don't block intersections or driveways.

Once work on one half of the bridge is complete, we’ll switch traffic over to the other side. Traffic will be down to one lane in each direction.

Stay plugged in

This work could be rescheduled due to weather. If that happens, we’ll send out the email updates for state highways in Kitsap County, project web page and our app.

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