October 24, 2025

Crews make quick work of removing damaged I-90 overpass

Photo courtesy of Ascendent Demolition [enlarge]

Ascendent Demolition of Puyallup performed the demolition of the overpass under prime contractor Scarsella Bros. Inc. of Kent.

Crews worked quickly overnight to demolish the damaged portion of an Interstate 90 overpass near Cle Elum.

Ascendent Demolition of Puyallup performed the demolition of the overpass under prime contractor Scarsella Bros. Inc. of Kent, hired by the Washington State Department of Transportation under and emergency contract Thursday.

A spokesperson from Ascendent said demolition of the structure wrapped up at about 3 a.m. Friday morning, with cleanup work to be done next.

The Bullfrog Road overpass at Exit 80 was damaged last week when it was struck by an over-height load traveling westbound on I-90. The overpass and the westbound lanes of I-90 were closed then for safety. On Thursday, Gov. Bob Ferguson declared an emergency in Kittitas County, allowing the state to seek federal funds and to expedite the work, including emergency contracting.

WSDOT says that bridge engineers were on site Wednesday, and determined that the damaged portion of the overpass was not repairable and would need to be demolished.

Contractor crews began demolition Thurston night to remove the overpass portion that stretches over westbound I-90. WSDOT says this will allow lanes to reopen until construction can begin on a replacement overpass.

The overpass over the eastbound lanes is unaffected, the agency says.

WSDOT says that, weather permitting, westbound lanes of I-90 will reopen to traffic early next week. WSDOT bridge engineers are currently designing a new westbound overpass. The agency says it will provide updates when more information is available on when construction on a new overpass will begin.