Updates on popular Pierce County trail include new trailhead and a $1.4M bridge
After construction delays, the Spiketon Ditch Bridge is set to reopen in the coming months. The foundation of the bridge was completed on Aug. 5, according to the Pierce County website for the project.
The bridge is a major part of the Foothills Trail, which takes pedestrians and bikers about 22 miles between Puyallup and Buckley. The bridge connects part of the trail between South Prairie and Buckley.
A construction analysis found water and pest damage to the bridge, leading to its closure in November 2023. The Spiketon Ditch Bridge was demolished the following June, according to the website.
The new permanent bridge was initially expected to open on July 1. During construction, crews discovered unstable soil near the bridge, according to the website, which led to further testing and design planning.
The bridge’s closure since November 2023 has left no alternative route through that part of the Foothills Trail, according to the website. For nearly three years, runners, walkers and bicyclists haven’t been able to enjoy the full trail because it was blocked off. It’s closed between the Lower Burnett Bridge and 268th Avenue Court East, the website states.
Pierce County doesn’t have a specific reopening date, but the $1.4 million project is on track to be completed this fall, Pierce County spokesperson Andriana Fletcher told The News Tribune in an email on Aug. 8.
New Doc Tait Pavilion in Buckley
New to the trail is also the Doc Tait Pavilion and Buckley Trailhead. This project was initiated by the Foothills Rails-to-Trails Coalition in honor of the late Dr. Douglas Tait, according to a news release from the organization.
Dr. Tait was the only doctor in Buckley during the 1960s. He also worked to help establish the Foothills Trail in the 1990s, The News Tribune previously reported.
Organizers told The News Tribune in 2022 that the pavilion was meant to be a resting area for guests with a map, historical artifacts and more.
The grand opening ceremony for the pavilion and trailhead was on Aug. 7.
This story was originally published August 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
