Gearing up for some automotive inconvenience, travelers heading westbound over the Tacoma Narrows Bridge into Gig Harbor should brace for significant delays next Saturday. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has announced that on Dec. 13, from the early hour of 8 a.m. until the evening curtain at 7 p.m., the two left westbound lanes of the bridge will be off-limits to traffic. This closure, necessary for crews to repair damages to the bridge deck, is likely to throw a wrench in weekend travel plans. Commuters are advised to factor in additional travel time or reschedule their trips if possible.
According to a WSDOT press release, the decision for the closure comes after maintenance teams discovered a pothole on the bridge's driving surface back on Nov. 19. Although a temporary fix was applied the following day, this upcoming closure is to ensure a more sustainable solution is put in place. While these repairs are not associated with earlier projects done this year and in 2024, they underscore the ongoing need to maintain the venerable 75-year-old structure.
Daylight hours are crucial for the safety and effectiveness of the repair crew, who will be working diligently above and below to restore the integrity of the bridge. The timing for these repairs is designed to cause the least amount of disruption, but they remain subject to the whims of the weather; adverse conditions like high winds or heavy rainfall could push back the schedule.
The WSDOT team reminds drivers navigating roadwork to slow down and heed posted speed limits, to be mindful of and kind to the workers, and to stay alert to both traffic and any person directing it. Patience is also recommended — no schedule is worth the risk of a human life. For those who dread getting stuck in traffic snarls, considering an alternate route is a sound idea. WSDOT also offers an app and the WSDOT Travel Center Map for real-time traveler info, according to the same press release.
For Pierce County locals and frequent flyers of the SR 16, signing up for email updates from WSDOT is a proactive step to stay informed about any future endeavors to keep the county's arteries flowing smoothly.
.jpeg){kind=link}