Hole in bridge restricts traffic east of White Pass on U.S. 12

WHITE PASS, Wash. – U.S. Highway 12 was restricted Wednesday evening to one lane about 14 miles east of White Pass because of a hole in the Wildcat Bridge, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Crews were making repairs Wednesday night, DOT spokeswoman Summer Derrey said.

Flaggers were directing traffic across the bridge in the westbound lane. The hole is on the eastbound side.

The hole is the latest found in the more than 80-year-old span. DOT officials said in January that four other holes had been reported since 2013.

Derrey said she did not immediately have details about the size of the latest hole.

The holes have tended to develop during the winter and spring, when moisture gets between cracks in the concrete and causes a “soft spot.” Traffic then wears at the area until the material gives way.

A $12 million project to replace the bridge is scheduled for 2019, DOT said earlier.

DOT workers regularly patrol the area to look for new holes or other problems.

The bridge is considered usable but “structurally deficient” under state guidelines.