World Photo by Lou Sennick The Oregon Department of Transportation is planning to strengthen this end of the Isthmus Slough Bridge in 2011, replacing some of the timber piles, beams and decking to keep it in operating condition until it can be replaced.

 Question: I’ve noticed a lot of surveying activity at the north end of Olive Barber Road in the Eastside area near the Isthmus Slough Bridge. What work is being planned for that site?

Answer: The Oregon Department of Transportation plans to strengthen the east end of the bridge in 2011, and is doing some preliminary surveying work.

ODOT spokesman Dan Latham said the plan is to replace some timber piles, beams and decking with concrete and steel structures.

“It’s just a project to keep the bridge in operating condition for the next few years,” he said.

ODOT has talked about replacing the 77-year-old structure with a new span, though funding hasn’t been available. Latham said a new bridge could cost as much as $100 million.

No money has been allocated for the project and the agency is working on an environmental assessment of potential impacts of replacing the bridge.

Without the repairs, Latham said ODOT might have to institute even lower weight restrictions. Several years ago, ODOT stopped allowing trucks weighing more than 80,000 pounds to pass over the bridge, which connects Bunker Hill with the east side of Isthmus Slough.

(I Want to Know is a regular feature of The World, offering readers a chance to anonymously ask questions and have reporters pursue answers. Those interested can send questions to The World newspaper, P.O. Box 1840, Coos Bay Ore. 97420; or by sending e-mail to news@theworld link.com.)