Expect construction delays on state Route 16 this weekend. Here’s what you need to know
Drivers planning to travel on state Route 16 should expect delays in a few spots this weekend.
Washington State Department of Transportation crews are getting materials a bridge that will replace a culvert barrier near Purdy Creek.
In an effort to improve the fish habitat in Purdy Creek, WSDOT identified three culvert barriers to be removed near Gig Harbor.
Two are under state Route 16 between mile post 17 and 18, where the creek meets State Route 16. Work began in fall 2022 to remove and replace them with large bridge structures that are 206 feet long.
The westbound state Route 16 bridge opened in August 2023. Now, crews will finish the eastbound bridge structure, which WSDOT anticipates to open toward the end of 2024.
The third culvert barrier was under state Route 302 (Purdy Drive) and got replaced with a new 77-foot-long bridge structure, which opened to traffic in December 2023.
On Friday, Feb. 23, crews will arrive with “six concrete bridge girders that are each more than 200 feet long” and start placing the material at 9 p.m. , according to a Feb. 9 WSDOT press release.
“The concrete girders are the backbone of the new 206-foot-long bridge,” according to the press release.
Crews will work through Friday night until 7 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, then, start up again at 9 p.m. Saturday and work until 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 25.
While crews place the girders, they’ll need to close all eastbound lanes near Purdy going towards Tacoma because of “the size of the concrete bridge girders and the equipment needed to place them,” the news release said.
A detour will take eastbound drivers on to the State Route 302 spur and Purdy Drive.
Crews will need to close a westbound lanes so “the trucks carrying the girders can access the work zone,” the press release said.
Drivers traveling west will find the highway reduced to one lane starting at 144th Street NW until they get to the SR 302 on-ramp.
“Travelers are encouraged to add at least 10 minutes of travel time to get through the detour,” WSDOT said in its press release.
Maintenance also scheduled for Good To Go! tolls on state Route 16
In addition to the culvert removal work, WSDOT crews are scheduled for overnight maintenance on Friday, Feb. 23, on the 24th Street Northwest on-ramp, a Feb. 20 WSDOT press release said.
Drivers use the on-ramp when going east onto State Route 16 before driving across the Narrows Bridge.
The ramp will be closed from 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, to 6 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 26.
“Drivers will continue to be able to use the toll plaza and drive directly across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge,” according to a Feb. 20 WSDOT press release.
