Heat takes toll on roads; University Bridge to close for cool down
Aug 3, 2017, 6:11 AM
High heat like what’s been seen in Western Washington this week can take a toll on roads and bridges.
RELATED: Western Washington breaks high temp records amid heat wave
The University Bridge in Seattle, which is about 100 years old, has less resistance to heat because of its age.
With temperatures in the 90s, crews will close it between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to give it a cool bath.
Crews will spray cold dechlorinated water on the bridge to keep the metal from expanding and damaging the span.
The same thing happened in 2013, when temperatures soared.
The bridge may have to be closed and sprayed down hourly, depending on the heat.
The heat also means trouble for city streets as well.
In 2009, a Seattle road repair crew had to blow torch asphalt to repair roads that buckled from the soaring temperatures.
Meanwhile, all northline Sounder train service could see some delays as crews check the tracks.
