Local

7 stories about the closure of the Fairfax Bridge near Mount Rainier

Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

This list of curated articles highlights the closure of the Fairfax Bridge near Mount Rainier due to deterioration.

The permanent closure has affected park access and isolated some residents since April. Local businesses are struggling without the tourist traffic. Proposed House Bill 2149 seeks emergency funds for a replacement bridge.

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

NO. 1: PIERCE COUNTY BRIDGE TO MOUNT RAINIER CLOSED INDEFINITELY AFTER DEEMED UNSAFE

The 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

The Fairfax Bridge carries state Route 165 over the Carbon River. By Craig Hill

NO. 2: BRIDGE TO MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK PERMANENTLY CLOSED DUE TO SAFETY RISKS

“Closing the bridge was our last option,” Steve Roark, a WSDOT administrator, said in the release. “We fully understand the magnitude of this decision.” | Published April 22, 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. 3: HOW IS THIS PERMANENT BRIDGE CLOSURE GOING TO AFFECT MOUNT RAINIER VISITORS?

The bridge closure isolates key areas of Mount Rainier National Park. A $1.5 million study will determine next steps. | Published April 24, 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. 4: RESTORING ACCESS TO THIS PART OF MOUNT RAINIER COULD COST UP TO $785 MILLION

The bridge was the only way for the public to access key areas of Mount Rainier National Park, such as Tolmie Peak, Mowich Lake and Spray Park, from state Route 165. WSDOT closed the bridge due to safety risks. | Published June 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isabela Lund

The White River Bridge remains closed on SR 410 after a semi-truck hit it, on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Buckley, Wash.. By Brian Hayes

NO. 5: GOV. FERGUSON DECLARES EMERGENCY OVER WHITE RIVER BRIDGE CLOSURE

The closure of the White River Bridge following a crash last week has been declared an emergency, according to a proclamation by Gov. | Published August 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Puneet Bsanti

A Washington State Department of Transportation map indicates a detour to get around the closure of the White River Bridge connecting Buckley and Enumclaw at the borders of King and Pierce counties. The bridge was closed after a truck hit the bridge and damaged it Monday, Aug. 18, 2025.

NO. 6: DETOURS FOR MAJOR PIERCE CO. BRIDGE CLOSURE, INCLUDING TO GET TO MOUNT RAINIER

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. | Published August 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Julia Park

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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. 7: BRIDGE CLOSURE LIMITS ACCESS TO MOUNT RAINIER. EMERGENCY FUNDS COULD REBUILD IT

Legislators have introduced a new bill that would aim to restore access on state Route 165 at the site of the Carbon River Fairfax Bridge.Jayme Peloli, the mayor-elect of Wilkeson, told The News Tribune that House Bill 2149 would ramp up the process of replacing the bridge, which closed permanently due to safety reasons on April 22.“It’s basically creating a roadmap for this particular situation to bypass the red tape and get something going on this bridge, and paying for a new one, putting it up and not waiting – because right now, there is no process and that’s why there are no answers,” Peloli told The News Tribune.Legislators introduced the bill on Dec. | Published December 19, 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.