People traveling along Highway 97 in Klickitat County should plan ahead for daytime delays early next week.  Both Monday and Tuesday, the Washington State Department of Transportation’s contractor, Combined Construction, will close a single lane in both directions of the US 97 bridge over Bickleton Highway.  During the closure, crews will patch damaged areas of the bridge deck in preparation for winter weather.  A single lane in both directions of the US 97 bridge over Bickleton Highway near milepost 12.5 will be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.  Traffic will alternate intermittently through a single lane with flaggers.  This brief work is being done as a temporary solution until a bridge and deck rehabilitation project begins in May 2024.  Once the project begins, crews will perform permanent repairs on damaged areas, overlay the deck with fresh concrete and replace guardrail runs.  To keep both travelers and maintenance crew safe, travelers are asked to slow down, pay attention and use caution through the work zone.