Local

Major bridge projects and closures that are shaping Pierce County

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

This list of stories illustrates major bridge projects that are shaping Pierce County. Replacement efforts include the Spiketon Ditch Bridge on the Foothills Trail and the aging Fox Island Bridge.

Funding is a challenge for large-scale projects like the Fox Island Bridge replacement, which could cost $250 million.

The lahar evacuation bridge being built in Orting is meant to help residents evacuate the city following the eruption of Mount Rainier.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Crews pave the approaches to the eastbound state Route 16 bridge in Purdy. They’ve since finished the work, and the bridge opened May 11, 2024

NO. 1: NEW STATE ROUTE 16 BRIDGE OPENS NEAR GIG HARBOR. THE SPEED LIMIT HAS BEEN UPDATED

A path for bikers and pedestrians in the area will be next to open. | Published May 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Alexis Krell

The Washington State Department of Transportation said in an updated press release that crews finished emergency repairs on the westbound Tacoma Narrows Bridge and poured concrete May 14, 2024.

NO. 2: WHY DOESN’T WSDOT SHIFT TRAFFIC TO THE OTHER NARROWS BRIDGE DURING EMERGENCY REPAIRS?

“If you’re going to take two lanes, you need to give us options as motorists,” one commuter said. | Published May 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by Alexis Krell

The Interlaaken Bridge over Steilacoom Lake in Lakewood is closed and will remain closed for repairs, on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, in Lakewood, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 3: PIERCE COUNTY BRIDGE CLOSED FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. IT’LL REOPEN AFTER $829K IN REPAIRS

A city capital projects manager said parts of the bridge have rotted from the inside out. | Published June 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

The newly opened Foothills Trail bridge connects King and Pierce County over the White River, on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Buckley, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 4: NEW $16 MILLION BRIDGE EXTENDS POPULAR PIERCE COUNTY TRAIL TO 22 MILES, INTO KING COUNTY

The span is also an emergency route. Vehicles and pedestrians can use it if a disaster damages the state Route 410 bridge, a news release said. | Published October 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Alexis Krell

NO. 5: PROBLEMATIC TACOMA BRIDGE CLOSED TO CARS ONCE AGAIN. CITY WORKING TO ‘REMEDY THE ISSUE’

It’s the second time in as many months the span has closed due to a malfunction. | Published November 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor

The Murray Morgan Bridge carries East 11th Street over the Thea Foss Waterway in Tacoma, Washington. Photographed Jan. 1, 2025. By Adam Lynn

NO. 6: TACOMA BRIDGE CLOSED TO VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS FOLLOWING MALFUNCTION, CITY SAYS

The City of Tacoma says it would provide updates once they become available. | Published January 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Puneet Bsanti

This is a possible style for the new pedestrian bridge proposed at Swan Creek Park. By Courtesy

NO. 7: WHAT SHOULD TACOMA’S NEWEST BRIDGE LOOK LIKE? AND WHERE SHOULD IT BE BUILT?

Parks Tacoma wants to know if you think the bridge should join the city’s icons. | Published February 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor

A cyclist rides by along the Foothills Trail as construction continues on an emergency foot bridge in Orting, Wash., on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. The bridge is the first of two planned projects allowing residents to find higher ground in case of a flood or lahar. By Pete Caster

NO. 8: THIS $9 MILLION FOOT BRIDGE WILL HELP RESIDENTS EVACUATE IF MOUNT RAINIER ERUPTS

“I think this is a real boon for the kids that live on the other side of the highway. This has been a wonderful step forward.” | Published February 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isabela Lund

Spiketon Ditch Bridge is unsafe for public access, and it will be closed for a minimum of one to two years. The bridge is on the Foothills Trail between South Prairie and Buckley. By Alexis Krell

NO. 9: ALL 24 MILES OF THIS POPULAR PIERCE COUNTY TRAIL WILL SOON BE OPEN FOR THE FIRST TIME

A new $1.4 million bridge means bikers and pedestrians will be able to use the full trail this summer. The bridge has been out since 2023. | Published April 9, 2025 | Read Full Story by Constanza Montemayor

Cars drive along the bridge connecting Gig Harbor and Fox Island. The bridge is the only way to and from the island. By Joshua Bessex

NO. 10: REPLACING THIS MAJOR PIERCE COUNTY BRIDGE COULD COST MORE THAN $250 MILLION

“Like all County road projects, our goal is to utilize state and federal grant sources as much as possible,” a Pierce County spokesperson said. | Published April 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Julia Park

The Carbon River Bridge is 103 years old and 494 feet long. By Washington State Department of Transportation

NO. 11: PIERCE COUNTY BRIDGE TO MOUNT RAINIER CLOSED INDEFINITELY AFTER DEEMED UNSAFE

103-year-old bridge will be closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic as a safety precaution. | Published April 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.