WASHINGTON — Sen. Patty Murray says the U.S. Department of Transportation is releasing the remaining $15.6 million of the federal share for repair of the I-5 bridge over the Skagit River in Washington state that collapsed three weeks ago.
Murray, a Democrat, said Thursday Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told her in a phone call that the funds were being released. The total cost of the project is $17.8 million. The federal government previously released $1 million. The state is expected to provide the remaining money.
Victor Menendez, head of the Federal Highway Administration, said he is committed to seeing repairs to the bridge completed by Oct. 1. He said two temporary spans will be in place by June 20, although traffic over the bridges will be limited to 35 mph.
Victor Menendez, head of the Federal Highway Administration, said “innovative construction concepts” will be used to speed repairs to the I-5 bridge. One of those concepts, he said, is “design-build” in which the designer of the bridge repairs is also in charge of construction of the project. The aim is to eliminate the time required to solicit bids from contractors.
