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Cowlitz County details $2.9M overlay and multimillion-dollar bridge projects, warns of mid‑August closures
Summary
Roads staff told commissioners the county completed a $2.9 million overlay, is advancing a nearly $7.5 million South Cloverdale/Confer intersection project, and expects a full Tire Road closure from mid‑August to late October or early November while crews replace a bridge; FEMA also obligated funds for Pleasant Hill Road construction next summer.
Roads staff updated the Board of Commissioners on a full slate of 2026 construction projects, including completed work, contracts under way and scheduled road closures.
The county completed its overlay program this season at a total cost of about $2.9 million, with a small reconciliation change order (around $20,000) expected on a forthcoming agenda. Roads staff said the Barnes Drive emergency repair executed earlier this year is finished.
Ongoing work includes the South Cloverdale/Confer intersection project, a contract just under $7.5 million with a projected December completion. The Allender Road bridge replacement is a $1.6 million project expected to finish in November 2026; crews have poured abutments and will place girders after a 28‑day concrete cure. The Tire Road Rock Creek bridge project (about $2.7 million) is approaching the in‑stream work phase and will require a full road closure planned for mid‑August through late October or early November; schools and residents have been contacted and a public outreach push is planned.
Staff also listed awarded projects coming into construction: a two‑year striping contract for $938,000 (roughly $470,000 this year), Dyke Road reconstruction ($3.6 million, anticipated November 2026 completion) and a Burma Road/Toodle Park bypass project that will become Beaver Lake Road (expected October 2026). Smaller slide repairs and embankment work (East Canyon View, Westside Highway and Blue Butte Hill) were described as upcoming summer items.
Roads staff reported yesterday that FEMA has formally obligated construction funding for Pleasant Hill Road, clearing the way to bid the project in October or November for construction next summer.
Roads staff said they will begin broader public outreach ahead of closures to minimize disruptions and will return to the board with contract execution items as they are prepared for agenda approval. No formal board vote occurred during the briefing.
