Walla Walla to close Otis Street Bridge for repairs starting Monday
By Dan Thesman on Thursday, September 10th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
WALLA WALLA — The Otis Street Bridge will close completely for approximately two weeks starting this coming Monday for bridge deck repairs, city officials announced.
Detours will be in place during the closure, which is part of Walla Walla’s 2026 preventative bridge maintenance program. A similar closure for the Merriam Street Bridge is tentatively scheduled for December.
The city conducts bi-annual inspections of public bridges spanning over 20 feet, reporting condition data to the Federal Highway Administration’s National Bridge Inventory database.
Maintenance projects address repairs to decks, posts, rails, abutments, girders, soffits, beams, and sidewalks. Officials said routine work on aging structures helps preserve overall structural soundness, maintain public safety, and extend the service life of municipal bridges facing daily wear and tear.
Photo of the Otis Street Bridge courtesy city of Walla Walla
