PORT ANGELES — City officials want to meet with the public to lessen the disruption when the Eighth Street bridges are replaced later this decade.

“It will be a real challenge to minimize the impacts,” Public Works Director Glenn Cutler told the City Council at its Tuesday night meeting.

The council approved vehicle weight limits on the Valley Creek and Tumwater Creek bridges earlier this month. The new weight limits are 20 tons for two-axle vehicles, 30 tons for three-axle vehicles and 36 tons for four-axle vehicles.

The 1930s-era former state highway bridges are not in danger of failing, city officials say, and they are well-maintained. But the trestles are aging and will need replacement in the future.

Project design is scheduled for 2002-03 with bridge construction in 2004-05, depending upon funding.

This full report appears in the Peninsula Daily News, on sale throughout Clallam and Jefferson counties. Click on “Subscribe” to order your PDN delivered to your home or office.