Construction on the Biggs Rapid Bridge on U.S. 97 between Washington and Oregon will begin this week, resulting in a single lane of traffic closing across the bridge for 11 weeks.

The bridge crosses the Columbia River between the cities of Biggs, Ore., and Goldendale, Wash. Construction is scheduled to be finished in late August.
Signal or flaggers will be used to control the traffic flow and officials are expecting up to 20 minute delays. Narrow lanes will prohibit oversized loads and night work will be frequent. About two months into the project, trucks, RVs and other large vehicles (over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight) will not be allowed on the bridge for up to two days to prevent damage as the concrete sets. All routes leading to the bridge will be signed to divert traffic to detours.