Highway 14 lanes must close to clean graffiti off Land Bridge

State workers will need to close traffic lanes to remove graffiti from the Vancouver Land Bridge over state Highway 14. (Troy Wayrynen/The Columbian)

A large splotch of graffiti will remain on the Vancouver Land Bridge until state transportation workers can arrange to close travel lanes on state Highway 14 to repaint the city’s newest iconic landmark.

Thousands of commuters noticed the graffiti, visible on the east side of the bridge directly over state Highway 14, on their way to work Monday morning.

In contrast to other forms of graffiti, this one appears to have a political message: “Free Energy” it reads in big block letters. A smaller duplicate was stenciled to the left.

Designed with help from famed architect Maya Lin, the bridge carries pedestrians across the highway from a replica of Fort Vancouver to the Columbia River.

A crew from the city of Vancouver on Wednesday removed graffiti from within the confines of the pedestrian walkway, city spokeswoman Loretta Callahan said.

Melanie Coon, communications manager for the Washington Department of Transportation in Vancouver, said the state is responsible for maintaining areas of the bridge that are only accessible from Highway 14. Without closing freeway lanes, she said, workers will be unable to remove the block letters visible to motorists whizzing below.

“We couldn’t do it safely just hanging off the (edge),” Coon said.

The vandalism marked the latest mishap on a bridge formally dedicated just three months ago, with Lin joining Seattle architect JohnPaul Jones and other luminaries in the dedication. Besides incidents of graffiti, thieves have stripped the bridge of metal artwork.

Callahan said the bridge’s location, set apart from downtown, makes it imperative for motorists and passers-by to call 911 if they notice illicit activity.

“When you have people around and many eyes helping to watch, that discourages those who would otherwise deface something,” she said. “Citizens are our best resource here for helping to keep on eye on the community.”

Erik Robinson: 360-735-4551 or erik.robinson@columbian.com.