The Washington State Department of Transportation is making progress on repairs to a damaged bridge on state Route 167.
According to a news release from WSDOT, the bridge is on state Route 167 over Third Avenue Southwest and two of its northbound lanes have been closed since Sept. 30, when an over-height vehicle collided with it.
By Oct. 17, WSDOT will temporarily reopen the two northbound lanes. They plan to make the following changes to the bridge, which currently has one lane:
Temporarily reopen the outside right lane and the inside left lane to traffic.
Reduce the speed limit to 45 mph.
Install barrier to prevent traffic from entering the middle lane and merging into the inside and outside lanes.
Restrict all truck traffic to the right lane.
“To make these temporary traffic adjustments, crews will need overnight closures of northbound lanes of SR 167. Details are being finalized and will be shared when available. This work is weather dependent,” the release said. “Travelers should expect congestion and delays in the work zone and on the detour routes during lane closures. WSDOT encourages people to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and consider alternate routes.”
WSDOT said it will bring a contractor in next month, and they will reduce the bridge to one lane again to “provide space to stage equipment and perform repairs.”
“During construction, crews will also intermittently close all northbound lanes of SR 167 to remove and replace the damaged girder,” the release said. “Additionally, Third Avenue Southwest will be closed intermittently during construction. Signed detours will direct travelers around the closures.”
Crews will work seven days a week to fix the bridge, the release said, and work is expected to wrap up by early 2026.