What are crews digging up now near the $40.6M Lewis Street bridge project in Pasco?

Bob Brawdy

Multiple crews worked simultaneously on the east and west sides of the BNSF railroad tracks last week to connect a new water main line through the former Lewis Street underpass.

Crews pump out excess water prior to an excavator lifting out a section of old water main pipe early Thursday morning as part of the ongoing Lewis Street Overpass Project in Pasco.
Crews pump out excess water prior to an excavator lifting out a section of old water main pipe early Thursday morning as part of the ongoing Lewis Street Overpass Project in Pasco.

Current efforts on the total $40.6 million project are focused on updating the utility infrastructure in the area and preparing the aging Lewis Street underpass for demolition.

An excavator lifts out a section of old water main pipe early Thursday as part of the ongoing Lewis Street Overpass Project in Pasco. Crews were connecting a new water main under the railroad tracks.
An excavator lifts out a section of old water main pipe early Thursday as part of the ongoing Lewis Street Overpass Project in Pasco. Crews were connecting a new water main under the railroad tracks.

Waterline construction is just one of a long list projects needed to finish the multi-year project.

The city still needs to build a staircase from the lower Lewis Street area to the new bridge and finish roadway construction, stormwater facilities including curbs and gutters, sidewalks, pedestrian amenities, lighting and landscaping.

Crews cap off an old water main pipe after connecting a new one.
Crews cap off an old water main pipe after connecting a new one.

The 625-foot overpass bridge opened to traffic in April to replace the deteriorating underpass

Cascade Bridge was awarded the contract in 2021 to build the overpass for $22.3 million. The current construction contract, including all change orders, totals $28.8 million.

The overpass is being paid for mostly through state money.

Washington has contributed $24.4 million, the city has contributed $8.4 million and the federal government has pitched in $3.4 million.

That doesn’t include the additional change orders from Cascade Bridge or work requested by BNSF Railway.

The total cost of the project to date is $40.6 million, according to Pasco city staff.

Crews remove a section of old water main pipe near the sealed off underpass as part of the ongoing Lewis Street Overpass Project in Pasco.
Crews remove a section of old water main pipe near the sealed off underpass as part of the ongoing Lewis Street Overpass Project in Pasco.

The $3 million underpass demolition project is expected to finish next year. The city is looking into state and federal grant funding to pay for that work.

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