Fire-consumed bridge replaced ahead of schedule

WINONA — The train trestle that was destroyed in the Winona Fire has been replaced ahead of schedule.

The Palouse River Coulee City short-line railroad’s Hooper Bridge was lost in a burn that began Aug. 18. The blaze was estimated at 2,500 acres, and destroyed a residence, damaged another and burned down 24 outbuildings, according to past reporting.

The wooden bridge spanned 197 feet in length and was replaced with a 210-foot steel and concrete span. Janet Matkin, Washington State Department of Transportation’s communications manager, said the new trestle is more resilient and durable than the former structure.

She added the project was under budget, after being estimated to cost at least $2.8 million. It ended at almost $2.5 million. Matkin said the project was financed by the Palouse River Coulee City’s Move Ahead Washington funding.

Matkin said construction was finished ahead of schedule, after being projected to be completed by early November. She said in a little over two months after the burn, the transportation agengy resumed freight services following the construction of a new structure.

She said the line is a crucial connector to other mainlands down the Columbia River, and its replacement was urgent during harvest season.

The shortline handles up to 2,600 cars annually, and transports agricultural products and produce west for further expedition.

While the trestle was out of commission, commodities were rerouted to trucks. Since the embargo for train traffic was lifted, Matkin said empty freight cars that had been waiting for the bridge to open are now moving.

Matkin said the process to replace the trestle went as smoothly as possible. In early September the agency finalized a contract with WATCO, a railroad company that operates the portion of the line. It also received approvals and permissions from Whitman County, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Washington Department of Natural Resources for construction.

In less than a week, WATCO contracted with Kraemer North America to build the bridge. Matkin said WATCO installed railroad tracks, and work was finished a month after construction began.

In addition, the agency completed initial surveys for the project and environmental site assessments. Matkin said since the new bridge followed the same footprint of the old trestle, there’s no issues or impacts to the surrounding area.

“The fact that all parties worked together so well made it all come together beautifully,” Matkin said. “It was a matter of speedy expedition for all the permitting and necessary inspections, acquisition of materials and a very experienced bridge building team to finish ahead of schedule.”