Cowlitz County details $7.5M intersection, multiple bridge projects and mid‑August road closure

Public works staff provided a multi‑item update on the county's 2026 road program, giving contract amounts, work windows and outreach plans for projects that will affect traffic and local travel.

The South Cloverdale/Confer intersection project is under contract for just under $7.5 million with about $1.8 million paid so far; contractors have begun dewatering and culvert work and staff expects the project to complete in December. "We dropped about 8 feet of cuts" to improve site distance, staff said when showing photos of the work.

The Allender Road bridge replacement is a $1.6 million project expected to finish in November 2026. Contractors have poured abutments and will perform in‑water work during the appropriate stream work window; staff said the temporary bridge is in place to allow traffic during construction.

The Tire Road Rock Creek bridge project, a roughly $2.7 million undertaking, will require a full road closure beginning in mid‑August with a planned November reopen. "We will be closing down the road in mid August with a November reopen," staff told the board and said the county will begin a public‑outreach push so schools and residents can plan alternative routes.

Other awarded work includes a two‑year striping contract for $938,000 and Dyke Road reconstruction awarded at $3.6 million, with work anticipated to begin in August and continue through late 2026. Staff also noted smaller slide and embankment projects and that Pleasant Hill Road has received FEMA construction funding, enabling construction next summer.

Staff emphasized outreach: schools have been contacted about closures and a larger public outreach effort will follow before mid‑August closures.