Local

Updates to major bridge projects across Pierce County

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of articles highlights bridge projects and closures across Pierce County. Unstable soil discovered during constriction prompted a delay in the opening of a bridge on the Foothills Trail between South Prairie and Buckley.

The demolition of the historic SR 167 Puyallup River Bridge started ahead of work on the state Route 167 Completion Project. A small piece is being preserved to create a heritage marker. Following the state Route 165 Carbon River Fairfax Bridge's closure, the daily routines of residents across the bridge have been affected. Local businesses are struggling with changes in tourist traffic following the permanent closure.

The Carbon River Fairfax Bridge, which connects State Route 165 to Mount Rainier National Park. The bridge is closing permanently due to safety concerns from the steel deteriorating. The rust is visible underneath the bridge in this photo.

NO. 1: TOWN NEAR MOUNT RAINIER IS NOW ON A ‘DEAD END ROAD.’ BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING

Local businesses that rely on the tourist traffic to Mount Rainier National Park during the summer say they’re paying the price after the permanent closure of a major bridge near the park. | Published May 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isabela Lund

The Carbon River Fairfax Bridge, which connects State Route 165 to Mount Rainier National Park. The bridge is closing permanently due to safety concerns from the steel deteriorating. The rust is visible underneath the bridge in this photo.

NO. 2: WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE BRIDGE CLOSED NEAR MOUNT RAINIER? HERE’S HOW TO FIND OUT

The 103-year-old structure was the only way to reach key areas of Mount Rainier National Park, such as Mowich Lake, Tolmie Peak and Spray Park, from state Route 165. | Published May 21, 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. 3: BRIDGE OPENING ON BUSY PIERCE COUNTY TRAIL DELAYED DUE TO UNSTABLE SOIL

Bikers haven’t been able to ride the full length of the popular trail since November 2023. | Published May 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Constanza Montemayor

Kent Cartwright, who lives on the far side of the now-closed Fairfax Bridge and must take rough forestry roads to reach town, walks the property, on Monday, June 2, 2025, in Carbonado, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 4: ISOLATED PIERCE COUNTY RESIDENTS GRAPPLE WITH MAJOR BRIDGE CLOSURE’S EFFECTS

“We’re just learning how to take care of each other,” one resident told The News Tribune. | Published June 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isabela Lund

The Puyallup River Bridge in 1925, shortly after its construction.

NO. 5: CREWS DEMOLISH 100-YEAR-OLD PUYALLUP BRIDGE. ‘IT’S NEVER GOING TO BE FORGOTTEN.’

WSDOT offered $1 million for someone to “relocate, preserve and maintain the bridge.” The agency didn’t get any takers. | Published July 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isabela Lund

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