Roaring Dungeness River loosens pilings, closes bridge SLIDESHOW

Two pilings underneath the bridge at Railroad Bridge Park have come loose and park officials have closed a portion of the bridge until repairs are made.

By Michael Dashiell • February 6, 2015 4:33 pm
Visitors to Railroad Bridge Park watch the Dungeness River roil beneath the bridge. Park officials closed the east portion of the bridge after they noticed two pilings are loose underneath.
Visitors to Railroad Bridge Park watch the Dungeness River roil beneath the bridge. Park officials closed the east portion of the bridge after they noticed two pilings are loose underneath.

Two pilings underneath the bridge Friday at Railroad Bridge Park have come loose and park officials have closed a portion of the bridge until repairs are made.

Powell Jones, Dungeness River Audubon Center director, said he’s not sure what caused the two pilings to come loose, but with both pilings linked to the same support structure it was clear the bridge should be closed.

Visitors to the park may access the original bridge portion to the east of the Dungeness River but may not cross it, and users of the Olympic Discovery Trail are not able to cross the bridge from the west end, either.

The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe owns the property. Jones said it’s unclear how and when the bridge will be able to be repaired.

As of 1:50 p.m. Friday, a flood warning remains in effect for the Dungeness River, while flood warnings for the Elwha River at McDonald Bridge and the Bogachiel River near La Push have been canceled.