The recent closure of the White River Bridge, which has brought significant disruption to business activities in King and Pierce counties, has led to the U.S. Small Business Administration granting Governor Bob Ferguson's request for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). According to a report by the Governor's Office, these loans are intended to provide vital financial support to local and tribal businesses struggling due to the bridge's damage and the ensuing traffic fallout. Ferguson emphasized the importance of these loans for businesses that "still have to pay their bills to stay open," amidst efforts to hasten the bridge's repair which are in full swing.
It was last month when an over-height truck collided with the bridge on State Route 410, creating a need for an immediate shutdown; this bridge typically sees an average of 22,099 vehicles crossing daily so the closure takes a heavy toll on business operations in the vicinity resulting in less customer traffic and prolonged travel times. The required detour has added up to an hour to travel times, further exacerbating the strain on businesses as noted by the Governor's Office announcement. Impacted businesses across numerous counties, including King, Pierce, Chelan, Kitsap, Kittitas, Lewis, Mason, Snohomish, Thurston, and Yakima, are eligible to apply for the low-interest loans via the MySBA Loan Portal to cover expenses they are unable to manage due to the unforeseen disaster.
The loans aimed at mitigating economic injuries of businesses come as a crucial intervention, as those affected cannot cover their ordinary expenses nor acquire credit elsewhere. As specified by the administration, EIDLs can be utilized to manage normal business expenditures such as rent, utility bills, and health care premiums which, without aid, might lead to severe financial shortcomings. In the face of adversity, such support can be a lifeline for small businesses and nonprofits trying to keep their operations afloat until circumstances stabilize.
In response to the bridge's detrimental condition, Governor Ferguson declared an emergency in the region on August 27 and has since been advocating for swift action on repairs; the cause was aided by an emergency proclamation, foregrounding the state's eligibility for federal funding for such crucial reconstruction efforts. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), tasked with the repair work, swiftly engaged Guy F. Atkinson Construction under an emergency contract which mandates continual work every day of the week to facilitate an expedited re-opening, with the goal set to restore the bridge's functionality between October 31 and November 14, as stated in the original press release.
