White River Bridge could be closed for weeks, King County executive says

The White River Bridge on Highway 410 between Buckley, Pierce County, and Enumclaw may be closed for weeks, according to an emergency proclamation issued Saturday by King County Executive Shannon Braddock. 

The Washington State Department of Transportation closed the bridge to vehicular traffic, pedestrians and bicycles Monday after a truck that was too tall to pass through hit the bridge’s cross members, causing extensive damage to the structure. 

The bridge will remain closed while engineers assess the damage, a process expected to take weeks to months, at a minimum, according to the emergency proclamation.

With the proclamation, Braddock took steps to expedite the response to the bridge closure and mitigate any potential safety risk or property damage. 

Braddock waived certain policies and procedures related to county contracts for purchases or leases, authorized overtime for personnel involved in responding to the emergency and directed the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks to allow 24-hour access to a nearby bridge for pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicles to cross the White River. 

Pedestrians and bicyclists are using the Foothills Trail Bridge, a 572-foot-long steel bridge connecting King County and Pierce County that is roughly 100 yards from the White River Bridge. The Foothills Trail Bridge can also accommodate emergency vehicles such as police cars, fire engines and ambulances.

With the White River Bridge closed, increased traffic on the Foothills Trail Bridge and increased parking nearby could create a heightened safety risk and risk to public property and facilities, Braddock said in the proclamation Saturday.

While the White River Bridge is closed, WSDOT has directed drivers to use highways 164, 18, 167 and 410. The detour can add up to 45 minutes of travel.

The steel truss bridge, built in 1949, carries an average 22,099 vehicles a day, according to WSDOT. The last inspection was in April, when the bridge was determined to be in fair condition. Based on current standards, a bridge is expected to last 75 years, according to WSDOT.