ASTORIA, Ore. — It’s taking a little longer than planned for the first phase of a project to paint and repair the Columbia River bridge at Astoria.
The Daily Astorian reports work began in 2009 on painting and replacing some steel parts. Workers have found some rivets that were less than half of their original size because of corrosion and constant movement of the bridge.
The initial phase of the work was originally planned to wrap up in 2012 but it will continue into next summer. Two other phases involving trusses and supports will continue to 2021.
The bridge is 4.2 miles long and was completed in 1966 as the last section of a coast road from Canada to Mexico.
