Detours for major Pierce Co. bridge closure, including to get to Mount Rainier
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Emergency closure of White River Bridge reroutes traffic via surrounding highways.
- Foothills Trail bridge supports pedestrian and e-bike traffic between Buckley and Enumclaw.
- Mount Rainier detours expand travel time due to construction and Fairfax bridge closure.
Detours are available to get around the emergency closure of the White River Bridge on state Route 410, after a truck hit the bridge between Buckley and Enumclaw and seriously damaged it Aug. 18.
The Washington State Department of Transportation announced in a news release Wednesday that it plans to reopen one lane of the bridge by the end of September after making temporary repairs. Until then, both ends of the bridge are closed to traffic, pedestrians and bicycles. A long-term repair plan is in the works, The News Tribune reported.
Alternate routes are available, but require significant extra travel time. The bridge closure may also require additional planning for visitors heading to Mount Rainier National Park. Visitors already have to contend with the permanent closure of the Carbon River Fairfax Bridge and upcoming construction within the park in September. Here’s what to know.
Highway detours to travel between Enumclaw and Buckley
“Until the temporary fix is in place, a full closure remains at both ends of the bridge, which means traffic, pedestrians and bicycles are not allowed,” the WSDOT news release Wednesday reads. “A signed detour directs travelers around the closure using SR 164, 18, 167 and 410. Travelers should allow extra time, as this detour can add 45 to 60 minutes of travel or more during peak travel times.”
The department included a detour map in a post Aug. 20 about the bridge closure.
Drivers from Buckley to Enumclaw can travel west on state Route 410 toward Bonney Lake and Sumner, turn onto state Route 167 and drive north toward Algona and Auburn, drive east for a stretch on state Route 18 and then travel the rest of the way southbound on state Route 164 to Enumclaw, the map suggests.
Drivers traveling from Enumclaw to Buckley can take that route in reverse by taking state Routes 164, 18, 167 and 410 to Buckley.
Pedestrians and non-motorized traffic can use the Foothills Trail bridge
“Hundreds of people are using the Foothills Trail bridge daily to commute between Enumclaw and Buckley,” the cities of Enumclaw and Buckley posted in separate updates on Facebook this week.
People riding horses, bikes, e-bikes and electric scooters can use the Foothills Trail, along with pedestrians. Motorized vehicles including golf carts are prohibited, per the posts.
The bridge is illuminated by King County, and the city of Buckley is working to light up the trail on their side in partnership with Pierce County. “In the meantime, please bring flashlights and headlamps,” the posts say.
The Enumclaw post lists five public parking lots available on the Enumclaw side where people can park before crossing the Foothills Trail bridge.
- Enumclaw Middle School — 550 Semanski St. S.
- Foothills Trailhead — State Route 410 & Warner Avenue (very limited)
- Public parking lot — 1429 Railroad St.
- Public parking lot — 1495 Railroad St.
- Public parking lot — 1002 Washington Ave.
The Buckley post lists another five parking locations on the Buckley side. Drivers can also access street parking along River Avenue, but only on one side of the road for safety reasons, the post said.
- Buckley Log Show Grounds – 344 N. River Ave.
- Buckley Armory – 455 N. River Ave. (Unavailable 10/6–10/12 and 11/1–11/26)
- Buckley Dog Park – 475 N. River Ave. (Very limited)
- Foothills Trailhead – Access off 410 and Jefferson Street
- Buckley Youth Center – 251 S. River Ave.
The posts suggest that people may be able to access a public shuttle service in the future to cross the Foothills Trail bridge.
“King County Metro is planning to extend Route 915 from the Enumclaw Aquatic Center to provide a public shuttle system to connect our communities via the Foothills Trail Bridge,” the city of Enumclaw posted. “If/when that system is established, parking availability may be further adjusted to accommodate shuttle use. We will share updates as soon as they are available.”
The two cities are also “exploring the possibility of bike/scooter rentals through a third-party provider,” both posted.
Will the White River Bridge closure affect routes to Mount Rainier?
“While (the White River Bridge closure) may increase the length of the suggested detour route, the park does not expect significant impacts for most park visitors at this time,” Terry Wildy, chief of interpretation, education and volunteers at Mount Rainier National Park wrote in an email Thursday.
From Tacoma, the most direct route to the Sunrise/White River Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park will not be affected during the White River Bridge closure. The drive goes through Fife, Auburn and Enumclaw via Interstate 5 and state Routes 18, 164 and 410.
The drive from Tacoma to the Nisqually Entrance is also unaffected by the bridge closure. The most direct route involves taking Interstate 5 south and merging onto state Routes 512, 704, 7 and 706 to reach the entrance.
It’s travelers heading from East Pierce County to the Sunrise/White River Entrance via state Route 410, and those looking to drive between the Sunrise/White River Entrance and the two entrances to the south, the Nisqually Entrance and the Stevens Canyon Entrance, who may need to plan ahead. During a culvert replacement project Sept. 2-30, a stretch of state Route 123 near those entrances will be closed to all vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists. The closure will extend for about 10 miles, starting from a point south of Cayuse Pass and ending just north of the intersection of the highway and Stevens Canyon Road, per a release from the National Park Service.
From the Nisqually Entrance, the western detour to the Sunrise/White River Entrance involves taking state Routes 706, 161, 167, 164 and 410. Taking into account the closure of White River Bridge, the detour extends 115 miles and takes about three to four hours to drive, the National Park Service detour map indicates.
From the Stevens Canyon Entrance, the 95-mile eastern detour to the Sunrise/White River entrance uses U.S. 12 and state Route 410. It takes about two to three hours, according to the map.
The Fairfax Bridge on state Route 410 also remains closed since April, when the state Department of Transportation determined it was no longer structurally safe to use. Prior to the bridge closures, drivers could travel from Enumclaw to Buckley using the White River Bridge, pass through Wilkeson and Carbonado and cross the Fairfax Bridge on their way to the Carbon River and Mowich Lake Entrances to Mount Rainier National Park.
The Fairfax Bridge closure means drivers are unable to access the Carbon River and Mowich Lake Entrances to the park via state Route 165, but backpackers can still hike to those areas via the Wonderland Trail, according to the National Park Service website.
