the bridge was checked, just to be safe

The West Richland Van Giesen Bridge is one of the newer bridge structures in WA state, having been opened in 1993. But WSDOT still checked it Monday morning following the high waters on the Yakima.

Commuters detoured for a number of hours

West Richland Police posted information that the bridge was closed much of Sunday, so Washington State Department of Transportation workers could evaluate the structure, following the near-record flood waters from atmospheric river rain. WRPD said the inspection was to examine the structural integrity of the bridge.

Get our free mobile app

The four-lane structure was thoroughly examined, and Monday morning it re-opened to normal traffic, but WAS limited to one-way earlier this morning.

Given the number of bridges in the state that did sustain damage, mostly on the west side, WSDOT is evaluating as many statewide as they can. Most of the damage to WA bridges came from debris slamming into or being pressed against the supports by raging overfilled rivers.

The newer bridge replaced the old ricketly Fallon Bridge into West Richland over the Yakima River.

LOOK: The longest highways in America

Stacker compiled a list of the longest interstates in the United States using 2021 data from the Federal Highway Administration. Read on to find out which ones are the lengthiest.

Gallery Credit: Hannah Lang