Expect Traffic as Repairs on Olympic Drive Overpass Start Next Week

Drivers should expect traffic congestion on the already busy Olympic Drive overpass when the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) starts its construction to repair the damaged bridge girder next week. The girder was damaged when an oversized semi-truck collided with the bridge last year.

According to WSDOT Project Engineer MaryLou Nebergall, WSDOT will start putting up signs on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The lane reduction is set to take place Wednesday night depending on the weather.

During the 10-week construction, southbound Olympic Drive, toward Artondale, will be permanently reduced from two lanes to a single lane.

As a result, WSDOT officials are warning drivers to expect significant delays along the overpass bridge and Soundview Drive.

There will be no lane reductions on SR 16 or northbound Olympic Drive, from Safeway to Fred Meyer.

Although there will be alternate route signs from both State Route 16 and downtown Gig Harbor, motorists are recommended to avoid this area as much as possible.

"During the closure, there will be concrete traffic barriers set up, and the contractors will come and demolish the traffic barrier and the sidewalks and the area over the damaged girder," Nebergall said. "They'll bring in a brand new girder and rebuild the bridge with sidewalks and a new bridge barrier."

While there are no plans to close SR 16 next week, Nebergall said crews will eventually shut down a portion of the highway during the night for demolition purposes. During then, the westbound SR 16 traffic will come off the off-ramp and will be led back on the highway.

The design costs are approximately $290,000, and the construction costs are estimated to be about $795,000, Nebergall said.

Although the speed zone on Olympic Drive will remain the same during the construction, drivers are asked to drive safely through the work zone.

For further project information, contact the WSDOT Tacoma Office at 253-534-3100, available 24 hours.