VANCOUVER, Wash. -- Clark County Public Works announced Sunday that Klineline Bridge on Highway 99 across Salmon Creek north of Vancouver will be closed until further notice starting 9 p.m. Sunday.

KGW photo

The Klineline Bridge is closed due to flooding.

The closure is necessary to protect public safety because high water flows in Salmon Creek could cause the bridge to fail, according to the county.

Rain on Saturday and Sunday increased flows in Salmon Creek to a potentially dangerous level. The National Weather Service projected 1 to 2 inches of additional rain for Clark County in the next 24 hours.

During the closure, motorists should use Interstate 5 as the alternate route between NE 99th Street and NE 134th Street. Highway 99 will be open to local traffic on either side of the bridge. Access to businesses in the area also remains open.

Clark County completed emergency bridge repairs in fall 2006 to fill in eroded areas beneath two bridge piers. However, high water last winter forced two bridge closures and damaged the repairs.

The bridge will remain closed until waters recede low enough for inspectors to determine it is safe to reopen. If the support piers have sustained additional damage, there is the possibility that the bridge will be kept closed until a new bridge is constructed starting early next year. The replacement project will take 9-12 months to complete.