Columbia County Fair & Rodeo
New CRFR audit details Page A3
Page A2
$1.50
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
thechronicleonline.com
Serving Columbia County since 1881
Quick fix at the Lewis and Clark Bridge WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
T
he Lewis and Clark Bridge is fully reopened after maintenance crews replaced two of the bridge’s three expansion joints and a fractured floor beam during a fourday closure. The repairs were expected to take up to eight days to complete. Still, Combined Construction, Inc. and Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) bridge maintenance crews finished the work in almost half the expected time. As part of the closure, there was also scheduled to be a 10-hour full closure that would block pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency responders from using the bridge across the Columbia River between Rainier, Ore. and Longview, Wa. Fast Fact The Lewis and Clark Bridge is 2,722 feet long and 93 years old. This portion of the closure was so that crews could replace the fractured floor beam. While WSDOT handled the bridge maintenance, they worked closely with Oregon’s Department of Transportation (ODOT) to navigate the closure. “This originally was going to be a six-day closure for the expansion joints, and then we had to add two days to the project for the bridge deck problem,” ODOT Public Information Officer Don Hamilton said. “They booked a schedule that was going to be as long as eight days, they got it done early. They got the work done quick.”
Kelly Hanahan, WSDOT’s Assistant Communications Manager, said crews were able to finish each part of the work ahead of schedule at every turn. “What we found was, through every single activity for the contractor, was done ahead of schedule. That compounded effect led to a really early reopening,” Hanahan said. “So, that 10-hour window was shorter. Obviously, this weather was pretty great for curing concrete; sunny and dry. So that process was also sped up, because that was a large part of the closure, was concrete was curing.” What was fixed? Replacing the bridge’s expansion joints was a critical piece of the maintenance that was undertaken. Hanahan said that the “finger joints” are critical to the function of the Lewis and Clark Bridge. “If the finger joints are not operating correctly, tension, kinks, and stress go to other parts of the bridge that are not supposed to absorb stress and movement. Example: floor beam,” Hanahan said. “Because those finger joints were not healthy, it actually impacts other parts of the bridge.” Hanahan said that the bridge is designed to “move a lot” in terms of absorbing the vibration of traffic and extreme weather. Hanahan said that heat and cold cause panels to expand and contract, and the expansion joints help facilitate that movement. “If you have unhealthy finger joints, they’re not going to expand or contract correctly, and it can actually cause damage to the roadway, the pavement of the bridge,” Hanahan said. “The finger joints being
The Lewis and Clark Bridge is 2,722 feet long and connects Rainier, Ore. and Longview, Wa.
replaced is a huge health upgrade for this bridge. We’re very excited about it.” Hanahan said that the timing of the closure made sense because it minimized the impact that the closure had on the school districts in the area. WSDOT identified the three most important stakeholder groups through a public survey that received more than 1,400 responses. The
three groups that stood out were first responders, individuals with medical appointments, and school districts. Hanahan said that Rainier School District would likely have needed to close during the maintenance if the repairs were made during the school year. The life expectancy of expansion joints is about 15 years, and WSDOT did not want to delay the
Will Lohre / Country Media, Inc.
repairs past the summer months due to the increased heat meaning a greater chance of the joints failing. While large-scale bridge repairs are done for now, Hanahan said WSDOT may do minor upkeep on the bridge during the nice summer weather. “Because of how narrow the
See BRIDGE Page A5
‘Significant increase’ in human caused fires in Oregon temperatures dries out forest fuels.
JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
Be prepared
T
he Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) reports a “specific increase in human caused fires” across the state this summer. “The human-caused blazes range from campfires, escaped debris burning, industrial operations, folks working in the forest, and we are also concerned about vehicles, such as RVs and trailers, dragging chains that can spark a fire,” ODF Public Affairs Officer Derek Gasperini said. Escaped fires of any kind resulting in property damage or requiring suppression efforts from a fire agency, may result in fines and individual financial responsibility for damages, according to the Columbia County Fire Defense Board. ODF is also anticipating lighting strikes that could result in wildfire starts. One of the state’s largest wildfires this summer has burned over
Metro Creative Connection
Oregon’s summer conditions have heightened the wildfire danger across Columbia County and the state.
18,000 near Agnes in southwest Oregon as of this week. The cause of that fire was under investigation and human activity had not been ruled out. Hundreds of fire crews were battling the blaze on the ground and from the air. Public safety restric-
tions were in place surrounding the fire and evacuations have been made. Even with rain earlier this week, fire officials said the conditions continue to worsen as the weather pattern of strong winds and high
Fire agency officials said the wildfires can move rapidly and can be dangerous, so visitors and residents need to be aware and pay attention when the fires are close to communities. “Be aware,” Gasperini said. “Pay attention to local news outlets. The wildfires are a concern throughout the summer,” ODF recommends that you have a go-bag with essential supplies for your safety if you are forced to relocated due to a wildfire. If evacuations are possible, Gasperini said it’s important that the public pay attention to law enforcement agencies who will coordinate efforts to get people to safety. “Know the evacuation routes and the backup routes,” he said. Emergency Management agencies across the state list the following evacuation alert classifications:
Level 1: Means “be ready“ for potential evacuation. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movements of persons with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system. Level 2: Means “be set” to evacuate. You must prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntary relocate to a shelter or with family and friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Residents may
See FIRES Page A7
St. Helens Elks Lodge recognizes local graduates STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.
T
he St. Helens Elks hosted a dinner recognizing five outstanding and accomplished Oregon
Fair & Rodeo ........... A2 News and Views ...... A4 Community Calendar A4
Poll ............................ A4 Classified Ads ......... A5 Legals ....................... A6 Crossword ............... A6
Vol. 141, No. 31
students. The 2023 graduates are scholarship and award winners from the local lodge, the Elks North District, or the Oregon State Elks Association. Sean Williams, the Exalted Ruler of the St. Helens Elks, welcomed the following students and their families to Lodge #1999: • Daniel Hadi, a graduate of Beaverton’s Mountainside High School. Daniel is the Oregon State Elks Male Most Valuable Student winner. • Kyla Zhang graduated from Lake Oswego High School. Kyla won the Oregon State Elks Female Most Valuable Student award. • Katherine Banz, Scappoose High School’s December of Student of the Month and Student of the Year. • Kortnie Adams, Vernonia High School, is the St. Helens Elks Lodge Female Most Valuable Student. • Case Mann, a St. Helens High School graduate, an Honor Roll student, and the Oregon State Elks Vocational Grant Program First Place winner. “The Elks are proud to recognize these young people for their accomplishments and having a profoundly positive impact on our world,” said
Courtesy photo
Elks members and local students who were honored, left to right, Don Kielblock, Daniel Hadi, Betsy Johnson, Kyla Zang, Kortnie Adams, Case Mann, and Sean Williams.
Don Kielblock, St. Helens Lodge Scholarship Chairman, Elks North District Scholarship Chairman, and Oregon State Elks Scholarship Committee member. “We look forward to watching them continue as community leaders who make a real difference.” Background
Since 1931, the Elks National Foundation (ENF) has helped students recognize their academic dreams. Each year the ENF awards more than $3 million in college scholarships to at least 850 outstanding, service-minded high school seniors. Service is at the center of what it means to be an Elks scholar. The Elks scholar family is 17,000 strong, with
3,000 active scholars attending 65 unique U.S. institutions. The ENF is committed to making all its spaces fully inclusive, equitable, and safe for all its members and scholars. The St. Helens Elks Lodge is located at 350 Belton Road in St. Helens. To reach the lodge, call 503-397-9299.