Narrows Bridge emergency repairs are finished. Here’s when crews expect lanes to open
The damage to the westbound Tacoma Narrows Bridge is fixed, but the two lanes crews closed Monday aren’t ready to drive on just yet.
The Washington State Department of Transportation said in an updated news release that crews finished the emergency repairs and poured concrete Tuesday afternoon.
“It will take at least 48 hours for the concrete to cure or dry before the travel lanes can be reopened,” the release said. “During the cure time, little or no work will be happening in the work zone. WSDOT hopes to have the travel lanes reopened sometime on Thursday, May 16. The timing of this may change if the concrete needs more time to cure.”
The agency posted on social media Tuesday evening that the earliest it would reopen the lanes is Thursday afternoon.
WSDOT closed the two right lanes after finding damage to an expansion joint in the middle of the bridge during a routine inspection Monday.
WSDOT warned drivers headed to Gig Harbor and Kitsap County to expect delays, particularly in the afternoons, while the lanes are closed.
In the meantime, the HOV lane is open to all drivers.
The agency encouraged those who are able to telework, carpool, travel during non-peak hours, or combine trips.
