The long-standing SR 165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge, a crucial link near Carbonado in Pierce County, has been declared permanently closed by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The decision, made public on Monday, April 14, came after a routine inspection turned up severe steel support deterioration, leaving officials no choice but to shut it down to all forms of traffic. In a chilling reminder of the bridge's fragility, photos have revealed that a support column has started to bend and buckle under the strain.
"It’s very apparent from the visual changes in the columns that the bridge is no longer safe to use," Olympic Region Administrator Steve Roark told WSDOT. The bridge's closure effectively cuts off direct access to several local outdoor recreation spots, including the Mowich Lake Entrance of Mount Rainier National Park. Although an emergency detour is currently to provide a makeshift path for first responders and local property owners, it remains closed to the general public.
With immediate safety concerns forcing the bridge's closure, WSDOT has initiated a planning study, aiming to quickly evaluate potential solutions. These include options such as foregoing a replacement, constructing a new bridge in the same vicinity, or possibly rerouting SR 165 to bypass the Carbon River Canyon entirely. An open house set to take place after Memorial Day will open the floor for public feedback on the matter.
Finding the necessary funding for any replacement project still looms large as an issue. WSDOT is purportedly working closely with the Governor's office and other state agencies to actively seek feasible solutions. "Closing the bridge was our last option. We fully understand the magnitude of this decision for everyone who relies on this bridge," Roark explained, underlining the dire importance of finding a resolution.
The now-defunct bridge spanned 494 feet and had welcomed travelers since 1921 before its untimely closure. It's part of a broader issue, wherein WSDOT oversees numerous aging infrastructures with 315 bridges identified as being 80 years or older. For real-time updates on state highway conditions throughout Pierce County, locals can turn to email alerts, the WSDOT app, or the statewide travel map.
