Painting of Yaquina Bay Bridge will cause some disruptions

A project to paint part of the Yaquina Bay Bridge in Newport may cause some short delays or minor disruptions until October.

Contractors for the Oregon Department of Transportation will be painting the two spans of the bridge’s steel members under the road deck because they need additional protection from the harsh coastal environment.

Most of the work will be done under the bridge with no impact to traffic, ODOT said. There will be occasional night-time lane closures to set up containment under the bridge and move equipment. Intermittent night work will begin in the next week or two, with lane closures allowed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The east sidewalk is closed for the duration of the project. A temporary pedestrian crossing at the south end of the bridge will allow pedestrians to cross U.S. Highway 101. At the north end, pedestrians can use the existing sidewalks under the bridge, which will be signed as the pedestrian detour route.