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How often does WSDOT do emergency repairs on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge?

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

The articles focus on emergency repairs conducted by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in recent years. Expansion joint issues repeatedly prompt lane closures, causing traffic delays.

One story explains how WSDOT completed emergency repairs but needed extra time for concrete curing before reopening lanes. Another article warns of a 7-mile traffic backup due to emergency repairs related to bridge deck holes. Another report looks at a reader's suggestion to shift traffic lanes to ease congestion during repair-related closures.

Crews perform emergency repairs on Jan. 31, 2024 on the Narrows Bridge. Lane closures caused severe delays.

NO. 1: TRAFFIC ALERT: DRIVERS HIT 7-MILE BACKUP ON STATE ROUTE 16 DURING EMERGENCY REPAIRS

Traffic backed up from the Narrows Bridge to Interstate 5. | Published February 1, 2024 | Read Full Story by Aspen Shumpert

Drivers can expect delays as maintenance crews do routine work near the Narrows Bridge toll plaza, starting 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 2: EMERGENCY REPAIRS ON NARROWS BRIDGE REDUCE ONE SIDE TO TWO LANES INDEFINITELY

“We expect the lanes to remain closed for multiple days,” WSDOT posted. | Published May 13, 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. 3: NARROWS BRIDGE EMERGENCY REPAIRS ARE FINISHED. HERE’S WHEN CREWS EXPECT LANES TO OPEN

A damaged expansion joint has led to afternoon tie-ups on the westbound span this week. | Published May 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Alexis Krell

Drivers can expect delays as maintenance crews do routine work near the Narrows Bridge toll plaza, starting 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 4: HERE’S SOME GOOD NEWS FROM WSDOT ABOUT LANE CLOSURES ON WESTBOUND TACOMA NARROWS BRIDGE

The lane closures made afternoon commutes to Gig Harbor and Kitsap County challenging for drivers this week. | 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. 5: 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 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. 6: DRIVERS SHOULD EXPECT DELAYS ON THE TACOMA NARROWS BRIDGE THIS WEEKEND DURING REPAIRS

Two lanes will be closed on westbound state Route 16. | Published June 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Julia Park

Drivers can expect delays as maintenance crews routinely perform work near the toll plaza, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, in Tacoma, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 7: PIERCE COUNTY DRIVERS: EXPECT DELAYS DURING MORE REPAIRS ON TACOMA NARROWS BRIDGE

Two right lanes will be closed on the 74-year-old bridge. | Published December 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Julia Park

Crews perform emergency repairs on Jan. 31, 2024 on the Narrows Bridge. Lane closures caused severe delays.

NO. 8: TRAFFIC ALERT: EMERGENCY REPAIRS WILL CLOSE LANES ON WESTBOUND NARROWS BRIDGE

The westbound Tacoma Narrows Bridge heading from Tacoma to Gig Harbor will be down to two lanes Friday and Saturday for another round of emergency repairs, a Washington State Department of Transportation news release says. | Published September 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Julia Park

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.