Crews are in the final stages of the Agate Pass Bridge painting project.

Work began in the summer of 2019 and is expected to be done within days.

The Washington State Department of Transporation reports that steel truss bridges need to be regularly cleaned and painted to preserve their integrity and keep them in good working condition.

Once repainted, the bridge will be protected from weathering and deterioration, extending its useful lifespan. If not repainted, the steel would eventually deteriorate from rust.

The work has been done in sections because of its length. Crews had to install a containment system to help protect the environment for workers. They had to construct a platform within the containment system to provide a work area for crews.

They had to sandblast away the paint until crews reach bare metal. Then they had to apply new primer and paint. They then had to remove the work platform and containment system and put it in place at another section of bridge.

Cost is projected at $12.36 million.