Palouse F Street Bridge reopened

PALOUSE - The City of Palouse reopened the F Street Bridge on March 25 after consulting with Whitman County Public Works Director Mark Storey.

"It has been determined that we can re-open the bridge safely to traffic, though access at the intersection with Main Street will be limited to a single lane," said Palouse Mayor Tim Sievers.

A pipe fitting on a 6-inch water main pipe broke underneath the bridge on March 22. The gushing water washed away a portion of the bridge approach, according to Sievers. A second leak was found further along the bridge.

The break was reported to cut off water to homes, but the public works office was able to stop the leak and restored service by using the city's redundant looping system, which is designed to provide water during catastrophic failures.

"Thank you for your continued patience as we work to repair the water main and bridge and ensure safe travel for vehicles and pedestrians alike. We will continue to keep you informed of developments along the way," said Sievers.

A timeline to repair the bridge is being developed. The repair requires engineering, designs, bids, and construction.