2 lanes of major highway out of Pierce County closed after bridge strike
A bridge strike has shut down two left lanes of northbound state Route 167 at 3rd Avenue Southwest in Pacific until further notice, the Washington State Department of Transportation reported Tuesday evening.
“Plan for extensive backups during the AM commute tomorrow (9/24)! Down to ONE lane in the northbound direction for a bridge strike,” WSDOT posted on social media, adding that updates will be available via @WSDOT Traffic on X.
An over-height vehicle struck the bridge as it was crossing underneath state Route 167 on 3rd Avenue, RB McKeon, a WSDOT spokesperson, said. She said she wasn’t able to share if the height of the vehicle itself was the issue or if it was something it was carrying.
McKeon added that the clearance on the bridge is posted. She didn’t know the type of vehicle that hit the bridge.
Bridge inspectors advised the closure while they assess the damage and decide next steps, WSDOT said. The southbound lanes on state Route 167 are open.
Northbound traffic is limited to the right lane, per a WSDOT post on X.
The most recent inspection on the bridge was in May, according to the release.
The bridge strike occurred near the border of Pierce and King counties and caused backups a few miles long as of 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Asked about the safety of keeping the bridge partially open, WSDOT spokesperson McKeon explained that bridge engineers would close it if they determined that it was unsafe to travel on even in a reduced capacity. They have not made that conclusion, and one northbound lane remains open based on their assessment, she said.
WSDOT bridge engineers will make a determination over the next couple days about what parts of the bridge are damaged and whether parts need to be repaired or replaced. Lane closures will remain while they form a plan for repair work, and future closures may be necessary depending on that plan, McKeon said.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with more information from WSDOT.
This story was originally published September 23, 2025 at 6:44 PM.
