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Politics & Government

UPDATE: Closure of Westbound Tacoma Narrows Bridge Lanes Delayed a Few Weeks

The Washington State Department of Transportation says the replacement for the problematic expansion joint on the 1950 bridge will not be ready.

UPDATE: 11:56 a.m., 4/12/13

Looks like drivers will be spared from the scheduled closure of the westbound Tacoma Narrows bridge for at least a few weeks, according to this press release from WSDOT:

Drivers who were preparing for the April 26 weekend closure of the westbound State Route 16 Tacoma Narrows Bridge can take a breather. A project to replace a problematic expansion joint has been delayed a few weeks.

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The Washington State Department of Transportation and its contractor, Mowat Construction, learned today, April 12, that the new expansion joint, which is being fabricated specifically for this bridge, will not be ready in time. The work and associated traffic restrictions will more likely occur in mid-May.

A new closure date will be announced once WSDOT can verify a new schedule with certainty.  This delay will not affect the overall contract schedule or budget.

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ORIGINAL

From 10 p.m. Friday, April 26, through 4 a.m. Monday, April 29, crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will close the 1950 westbound Tacoma Narrows Bridge to replace a problematic expansion joint.

During that time, State Route 16 traffic will be reduced to two lanes in each direction and both directions will use the 2007 eastbound bridge.

Over the extended weekend, WSDOT will reduce the SR 16 speed limit to 35 mph, and close the westbound SR 16 exit to 24th Street NW and the 24th Street NW on-ramp to eastbound SR 16.

When WSDOT built the 2007 bridge, it included roadwork specifically designed to accommodate traffic switches between the two bridges. The weekend closure will be the first time WSDOT will enact that configuration. 

That construction method was chosen because closing the westbound bridge will reduce vibrations during the work, which will increase productivity and efficiency. The weekend closure was chosen over several nightly westbound closures. 

Tolls in the eastbound direction will be collected as usual. Westbound SR 16 drivers will not be tolled. 

Drivers can check travel conditions and learn about upcoming construction by downloading the WSDOT mobile app, visiting tacomatraffic.com, or by dialing 5-1-1.

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