Nichol Bridge closed, and Hume Road may close, too

COLFAX — New weight restrictions for Nichol Bridge has prompted its closure.

Public Works Director Mark Storey updated Whitman County commissioners on the closure Monday, Dec. 4, during their regular meeting.

It may not be the only closure coming, as the possible closure of Hume Road may occur during harvest .

Storey said Public Works employees spend most winter months inspecting bridges.

Upon inspecting Nichol Bridge — located on Countryman Road, five miles west of St. John — they determined the span cannot carry heavy loads.

Rotting support beams are the culprit.

Storey said part of the support system is rotting, and compressing.

“We had our structural engineer look at it, who is out of Spokane,” he said, noting measurements and calculations showed the bridge could no longer carry its intended loads.

Public Works put weight restrictions on Nichol Bridge on the afternoon of Monday, Dec. 3, he said, noting the span cannot support a snow plow, either.

“We are looking to do some temporary shoring work,” Storey said, adding staff will put new wood support beams underneath to allow snow blows to cross the bridge.

Commissioner Michael Largent said the bridge’s closure could impact spring harvest work.

Storey agreed.

“We hope to do some additional repairs next year,” Storey said, noting that more shoring up will happen before harvest.

The county will probably then apply for bridge replacement money from the federal government, he said.

The bridge replacement for that location could cost approximately $2 million, he said.

In other updates, Storey informed commissioners on the possible closure of Hume Road due to additional required wetlands work.

Hume Road connects U.S. Highway 195 near Steptoe to Oakesdale

Storey said the department hopes to keep the road open, but that the county may need to close the road around harvest due to the timing.

Commissioners asked Storey and his staff to meet with the farmers to discuss the possible closure.