Exploring transportation projects in Pierce County

This list of curated articles articles highlights transportation issues and developments across Pierce County, including safety and maintenance challenges.

The Washington State Department of Transportation closed the Carbon River Fairfax Bridge due to deterioration, leading to significant regional impacts. Northeast Tacoma residents are advocating for safety enhancements on Marine View Drive following numerous accidents and safety concerns.

Elsewhere in Pierce County, new button-activated pedestrian traffic lights aim to enhance safety along state Route 7. These signals, funded by a state grant, align with the county's Vision Zero Action Plan to reduce traffic deaths and injuries.

Vehicles drive alone Marine View Drive, on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. Residents say that the stretch of road and the adjacent Norpoint Way NE are dangerous and prone to speeding and car crashes. By Brian Hayes

NO. 1: ‘GAMBLING WITH OUR SAFETY.’ NEIGHBORS WANT SAFETY FIXES ON BUSY TACOMA ROADWAY

Residents in Northeast Tacoma are sounding the alarm about Marine View Drive – a stretch of road adjacent to the Tideflats that has seen hundreds of crashes over the years. | Published October 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isha Trivedi

Drivers say it’s difficult and unsafe to merge onto SR-16 from Haven of Rest cemetery, on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, in Gig Harbor, Wash. By Brian Hayes

NO. 2: DRIVERS FEARED THIS TURN ONTO STATE ROUTE 16. DID CHANGES MAKE IT SAFER?

New signage and stop bars have been added to improve safety at the entry and exit to Haven of Rest cemetery in Gig Harbor off of state Route 16, but more extensive improvements aren’t on the table yet. | Published October 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Julia Park

Vehicles drive along Marine View Drive, on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Tacoma, Wash. Residents say that the stretch of road and the adjacent Norpoint Way NE are dangerous and prone to speeding and car crashes. By Brian Hayes

NO. 3: POLICE RECEIVED DOZENS OF CALLS FOR SERVICE ON THIS BUSY ROADWAY IN NE TACOMA

After The News Tribune published a story last month about a busy roadway that Northeast Tacoma residents are concerned about, some commenters online speculated about the cause of the danger and local law enforcement’s response to it. | Published November 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isha Trivedi

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. 4: WILL STATE AUDITOR INVESTIGATE PIERCE COUNTY BRIDGE CLOSURE? HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW

A 103-year-old bridge in Pierce County permanently closed in April. | Published November 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isabela Lund

The intersection at West Pioneer and Fifth Street Southwest is closing this Tuesday and Wednesday as contractors finish the project.

NO. 5: CITY CONSTRUCTION WILL CLOSE THIS PUYALLUP INTERSECTION — BUT NOT FOR LONG.

The intersection at West Pioneer Avenue and Fifth Street Southwest will close Nov. | Published November 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Bonny Matejowsky

A drone shot from June 28, 2021 of Mountain Highway East and Alder Road Cutoff East. There have been about 50 crashes at this intersection since 2013, and dozens of drivers use this road to get to Mount Rainier National Park and Alder Lake.

NO. 6: WOULD A ROUNDABOUT MAKE THIS ‘DANGEROUS’ INTERSECTION NEAR MOUNT RAINIER SAFER?

A local fire district is asking the state and county to implement a roundabout at a “dangerous” intersection. | Published November 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isabela Lund

New overhead traffic lights at SR 7 and Violet Meadow Street South help people who walk or roll cross the highway.

NO. 7: NEW TRAFFIC LIGHTS PUT UP ON BUSY PIERCE COUNTY CORRIDOR. WILL SAFETY IMPROVE?

The Washington State Department of Transportation finished installing button-activated traffic lights at 11 intersections along Washington State Route 7/Pacific Avenue South in Parkland and Spanaway, according to a news release Thursday. | Published November 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Becca Most

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.