Bridge lanes could open soon

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. – The Transportation Department said parts of a temporary Interstate 5 bridge could extend over the Skagit River in a day or two and the entire 160-foot gap should be filled by mid-June.

Spokesman Travis Phelps said it will take a little more time reopen freeway lanes that have been detoured since the May 23 bridge collapse, but it should happen before the last week of the month.

That still depends on bridge piers passing inspection and workers overcoming some engineering challenges.