MOSES LAKE — Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has ordered an emergency closure of the Hansen Road overpass above Interstate 90 at Exit 174 in Moses Lake after a scheduled bridge inspection on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026 found deterioration that the agency says requires the structure to be shut down to traffic.

WSDOT said the closure took effect at 6 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, and that crews still need to complete additional investigation before the agency can say what repairs will be needed—or when the overpass could reopen. The announcement was published by WSDOT as a statewide travel and infrastructure advisory.

WSDOT did not provide a specific reopening timeline in the initial notice, emphasizing that the next steps depend on what investigators find as they assess the condition of the bridge and determine a repair plan.

What drivers should expect

The closure affects local access across I-90 at Hansen Road, not travel lanes on I-90 itself. Drivers who typically use the overpass to cross the freeway should plan for detours via other nearby crossings, and should expect longer local travel times—especially during commuter peaks and freight-heavy periods.

Why this matters for Southwest Washington

While the closure is in Grant County, it’s a reminder of a statewide reality that hits home in Cowlitz County, too: Washington’s road network depends on aging bridges and overpasses, and “routine” inspections can quickly become emergency closures when deterioration reaches a point where agencies no longer consider a structure safe.

For residents here in Longview, Kelso, and the broader Lower Columbia, any major disruption along I-90 can ripple outward into freight schedules, statewide supply chains, and travel plans—especially for people and businesses moving goods between Puget Sound and Eastern Washington.

Sources

WSDOT: “Bridge deterioration forces closure of Hansen Road over I-90 in Moses Lake” (Jan. 2026)

Editor’s note: Columbia County Current will update this story if WSDOT releases an estimated repair timeline or confirms additional impacts.