Engineers Scramble Over Bridge Seeking Problems

ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) - Engineers specially trained in

rock-climbing have performed a bolt-by-bolt, rivet-by-rivet

inspection of the Astoria Megler Bridge that links Oregon and

Washington.

The results have not been released, but a senior bridge

inspector for the Oregon Department says he knows for sure that the

engineers found corrosion resulting from all the rain and

saltwater.

The inspector, Jeff Swanson, says the finding reaffirms the need

for the $20 million paint job that Oregon and Washington have

planned over the next two years.

The underside of the bridge will be sandblasted down to the

metal before it is repainted while the upper portion will be

pressure washed and treated. Because the old paint contains lead,

the contractor must seal off the work area to prevent contaminants

from falling into the Columbia River.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-06-14-09 1700EDT