Weekend closure of SR-167 over Puyallup River bridges Aug. 7 to 10

The SR-167 Puyallup River bridges (Meridian) will be closed to traffic beginning at 8 p.m. Aug. 7 and reopening at 5 a.m. Aug. 10. The northbound and southbound bridges will both be closed as crews relocate a steel truss bridge that was replaced in June and is now obsolete.

During this replacement, the southbound SR 167 exit leading to the southbound bridge will be closed, along with the 4th Street and Levee Road under the bridges.

Drivers are encouraged to plan for delays and alternate routes. Signed detours via SR 512 and area roads will direct motorists around the closure.

Moving the 379-ton bridge is expected to be a complex and time-consuming process for crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation. The old bridge truss will be lifted and methodically placed onto the new northbound SR 167 Puyallup River Bridge.

The span will be taken, via a system of dollies, to a nearby WSDOT property where it will be stored for up to four years.

WSDOT’s goal is to recycle the truss, with ideas of using it for a pedestrian or bicycle trail. If unsuccessful, the steel will be recycled.

For more information on the bridge relocation project, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr167/puyallupriverbridge.

For a detour map around the project, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR167/PuyallupRiverBridge/DetourMap.htm.

This story was originally published July 27, 2015 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Weekend closure of SR-167 over Puyallup River bridges Aug. 7 to 10."