Commuters who frequent State Route 510 near Lacey will need to seek alternative paths for the coming weeks. A section of the highway at milepost 6, stretching between Old Pacific Highway Southeast and Rockcress Drive Southeast, has been shut down indefinitely after a failed culvert necessitated urgent repairs. The issue was brought to light when an inspection on Thursday revealed a blocked culvert that posed a risk to the roadway's integrity, prompting immediate closure.
Addressing what promises to be a complex job, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) explained that due to the culvert being 20 feet below the surface, they are required to fully excavate the affected sections before they can proceed to remove and install a new culvert. WSDOT has yet to establish a solid timeline for reopening, but it is projected that the task will take several weeks to complete. Travelers are advised to utilize other routes until SR 510 is deemed safe for traffic once more.
Real-time travel updates on the situation can be accessed via the WSDOT app and statewide travel map. WSDOT has also committed to keeping the public informed through email updates as new information surfaces.
The closure of SR 510 is more than an isolated incident; it highlights a systemic issue faced by Washington's infrastructure. WSDOT shared that around 1,500 state-owned culverts are approaching, if not already surpassing, their expected service lives. Much of this infrastructure has been in place for over half a century with limited maintenance options available to prevent imminent failures. Consequently, such collapses have the potential to set off significant disruptions across the transportation network, leading to emergency road closures and burdensome detours with far-reaching implications on travel and commerce.
