Bridge sidewalk said suspect

State Department of Transportation officials have blocked off the sidewalk on the Highway 26 side of the twin bridges at the north end of Main Street in Colfax. Large orange “closed” signs have been posted at each end of the bridge and yellow tape has been used to keep pedestrians off the sidewalk part of the bridge.

The state closed off the sidewalk after inspectors discovered the cantilevered supports for the sidewalk are separating from the main support structure of the bridge, according to a report from Al Gilson, DOT spokesman for the eastern region.

DOT bridge inspectors noticed cracks in the sidewalk last month and discovered the separation in the sidewalk support structure after additional inspection. The cantilevered sidewalk, which is on the west side of the bridge, was poured in segments. At the center point of the bridge, the sidewalk segments are now out of alignment by approximately three inches with the north side segment sagging below the south side segment.

Gilson stressed the main bridge support structure is in good condition and the bridge remains open to traffic without restrictions. Pedestrians can still cross the North Fork of the Palouse river by using the sidewalk along the bridge on the Highway 195 side of the twin bridge. The sidewalk is on the east side of the 195 bridge, north of Zip’s.