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--> --> Associated Press Asphalt from the decking of the Lewis and Clark Bridge lies in pieces Tuesday in Astoria after it fell off when the bridge was raised. The 80-year-old lift bridge spanning Young's Bay has been under construction since January when the piece fell away Monday. Asphalt falls off Astoria bridge ASTORIA (AP) - The Oregon Department of Transportation is trying to find out how about 20 tons of asphalt fell away from the Lewis and Clark Bridge, locking the bridge in its open position. The bridge, built in 1924, spans Youngs Bay between Astoria and Warrenton on U.S. 101. It has been under construction since January and was set to open this weekend. The $5 million renovation and resurfacing project uses a plastic foundation untested in Oregon and never before used on a drawbridge in the United States, transportation officials said. During a test lift of the 115-foot-long span, most of the newly paved asphalt broke loose, landing in a heap at the bottom of the raised span. Transportation officials said the bridge would likely remain closed for at least another three weeks. "We're not quite sure how long it's going to take to get it open. I'm hoping it won't be very long," said ODOT spokesman Dave Davis. There were no injuries. Tom Falls, Department of Transportation project manager, said the manufacturer of the fiber-reinforced polymer decking never warned against using the system on a draw bridge. He said the company acknowledged it was the first time it would be used on a lift bridge. The plastic decking system has been used throughout the country to replace bridges that previously used a wood foundation that often rots over time, Falls said. The bridge had been lifted before, but was left up all day Monday. A bridge tender noticed a crack in the asphalt on the raised section that night, but before Falls could get there, two-thirds of the surface slid off the raised span onto the bridge below. "This is a major setback," said Kathy McMullen, Department of Transportation area manager for Astoria. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing