SR 165 Carbon River Bridge highlights preservation challenges in our state

By Cara Mitchell

The Carbon River Bridge on State Route 165 is also called the Fairfax Bridge.

It's a sign of the times. On Friday, July 26, our state bridge engineers had to further limit the types of vehicles that can use the 103-year-old Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge in Pierce County.

The new weight limit is 8 tons, or 16,000 pounds. Anything over that weight limit can no longer cross the bridge. This is the third restriction we've had to place on the bridge since 2009. In 2013, commercial vehicles were restricted crossing the bridge.

We know the latest restriction is especially tough for people who live south of the bridge. There is no detour available. We are working with private property owners and signed an emergency declaration with the hopes we can create an emergency detour access route for locals and first responders.

What changed on the bridge

The 494-foot-long bridge has been inspected every two years by state bridge engineers. This spring, engineers rappelled down the side of the bridge to measure the condition of the bridge's steel components. They used this data to calculate the revised load rating.

Photos from 2022 and 2024 show the advancing deterioration of steel sections of the bridge.

The center portion of the bridge is built out of steel, while the bridge approaches are timber. Steel deteriorates over time as it's exposed to rain or snow. Water on steel over time forms rust, which weakens the steel. We combat rust on bridges by painting them. The last time the bridge was painted was in 1988. Since then, we have repeatedly recommended this bridge as a candidate for replacement due to its overall condition and age. In 2023, it was removed as a candidate for replacement due to funding constraints.

As of June 2023, 55 steel bridges were due for painting, 47 were past due and six were being painted. Decades of underfunding maintenance and preservation has resulted in a backlog of work needed keep our transportation system in full operation. We do our best with the funding we are given by the Legislature. We continue to work with state leaders to communicate our needs and the risks associated with those needs being unmet.

Will the bridge be replaced

Deferred preservation has been an ongoing issue for years. Prior budgets passed by the Legislature have not provided funding to replace or make repairs to the bridge, and the SR 165 Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge is now a tangible example of a much larger issue in our state. Without more investment in preservation, we will continue to see more bridges weight listed, longer detours (where applicable) in place and highways with "rough road ahead" signs.

The bridge is competing with other aging bridges across the state. As of June 2023, 315 of our 3,384 bridges were 80 years old or older, accounting for 9.3% of all state-owned bridges. Factors such as traffic volumes play into which bridge rises to the top of the list for replacement.

Our bridge maintenance teams have done their best to keep the bridge in good working order. As an example, we replaced sections of a failing wooden bridge deck last May.

Olympic Region bridge maintenance crew members replacing aging wood bridge deck panels
on the bridge on May 16, 2024

Because of the new load rating, our crews will increase the frequency of inspections on the bridge to every six to 12 months.

We know there are some who will say, "the Brooklyn Bridge is even older and it's still open." This is true. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent to keep that historic bridge in good working order. That hasn't happened in Washington state.

Typically, a bridge has a service life of 75 years, based on current standards. In Washington, the average age of state-owned vehicle bridges is 51 years. At age 103, our Carbon River Bridge has held up well. That's in large part because of dedicated bridge engineers who routinely inspect the bridge and bridge maintenance crews who make repairs. The bridge was built in 1921 for $500,000. According to History Link, it was the tallest bridge at the time in the state. Over 100 years later, there are very few highway construction projects, let alone a bridge, that cost $500,000. For instance, we just opened a new bridge in Clallam County that replaced another almost 100-year-old bridge to the tune of $42 million.

New signs and changes to intersections: What travelers need to know

New weight limit signs for the bridge are on order and we are moving quickly to install them.

The bridge is in a rural area with little room to turn around so we're putting advanced warning signs on roads leading to it. You'll soon see signs on SR 165 leading up to the bridge from SR 162, Wilkeson and Carbonado. Those signs are meant to catch the attention of anyone who is driving anything over 8 tons before they get to the bridge.

We're also making some changes to the intersection of SR 165 and Pershing Avenue in Carbonado. The intersection will become an all-way stop. The same goes for the intersection of SR 165 (Mowich Lake Road) and Carbon River Road. The all-way stops will allow drivers another chance to stop, change direction, and make informed decisions prior to crossing the weight-restricted bridge.

What vehicle weighs 8 tons?

Knowing how much your vehicle or the load you're pulling weighs is always important.

• 1 US ton equals 2,000 lbs.
• 8 US tons equals 16,000 lbs.

The bridge is closed to any vehicles that exceeds the maximum weight limit of 16,000 lbs. (8 tons). Official vehicle weights might be found in your vehicle's manual or inside the driver's side front door. Some vehicle registrations will also include this information. There are also fee-based weigh stations that you can use to weigh your vehicle.

A quick Google search shows us that a 2024 Subaru Forester weighs around 3,528 pounds, empty. A Ford F-150 has a curb weight up to 7,000 pounds. Full size RVs can range from 10,000 pounds to 30,000 pounds depending on make and model. Your mid-size SUV will likely be ok to cross the bridge, but better check the weight of the pickup or RV you're driving or pulling before you go. Keep in mind, drivers must add the weight of fluids, loads and people traveling in the vehicle to determine if the vehicle is over the gross weight restriction.

Stay informed

We will share more information with our community partners and property owners in the coming weeks. People can sign up to receive updates on the SR 165 Carbon River Bridge through GovDelivery.

Information line about the bridge is available at: (360) 704-3268

For real-time travel information, visit wsdot.wa.gov and search WSDOT Travel Map and WSDOT Mobile App.

At long last, there’s a brand new bridge over the Elwha River

By Mark Krulish

Out on the Olympic Peninsula sits the ever-faithful Elwha River Bridge. It’s an important crossing for Clallam County, taking people on US 101 over the mighty Elwha River. The bridge has served the area well for nearly 100 years.

In 2016, we found out the bridge sat on gravel instead of bedrock. This was not what the original plans for the bridge showed. We took measures to prevent more erosion of the bridge’s piers. We installed monitors to keep tabs on the river’s flow during heavy rains. This was done to ensure the bridge would remain safe for crossing, but we knew the bridge needed to be replaced.

It took us a long time to get here. There was an extensive environmental review that included six public meetings over the course of two years. Completion of the environmental review in November of 2021 cleared the way for design. Finally, in April 2023, our contractor started constructing the new bridge.

The wait for the new bridge is over.

At 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, the new Elwha River Bridge opened to traffic.

Building a new bridge

After preparing the site, we got to work during the 2023 in-water work window so we could drill the shafts for the new piers. This work moved quickly as some of it had to be completed before the in-water work window ended. The in-water work window, also known as the fish window, is the time of year in which construction least affects aquatic life. That window varies a little from year to year, but it is usually in July and August.

By October, we had fully formed piers sticking out of the river.

The new piers on the bridge were built by October 2023.

Once the piers were ready, we placed 18 steel girders over the course of six nights in November 2023. At this point, you could really see the new bridge start to take shape.

Over several nights in November, crews set 18 large girders over the piers to form
the foundation of the new bridge deck.

This past winter and spring, crews set rebar to help form the base of the bridge deck and built up the abutment walls where the new bridge meets the land on each side of the river.

Finally, over the course of nine days, we finished paving which tied the new bridge into the US 101 alignment. In just 15 short months, we have a brand new bridge over the Elwha River.

Construction of the new bridge was complete in July 2024.

Benefits

The new bridge comes with many benefits. As mentioned earlier, we had to monitor the old bridge during heavy rainstorms. In November of 2021 the flow of the river was fast and high enough that we had to close the bridge for safety.  The new bridge will not have safety issues based on water flow in the river.

On Thursday, July 10, we removed the tilt meters from the old bridge. This was a great relief to our staff who were responsible for monitoring the bridge. We’re sure it’s a relief to Clallam County residents, too.

Construction crews remove the meters from the old Elwha River Bridge on July 11, 2024.

The new bridge is 40 feet wide, as opposed to the old bridge, which was 28 feet. It has two 12-foot lanes and two 8-foot shoulders. This creates a wider and more comfortable crossing for those who walk, bike or roll. It’s also built to modern seismic standards.

As part of the project, we also realigned US 101 near the bridge to create a gentler curve traveling west down the hill to the bridge.

One of the best parts about this is, the new bridge will keep the communities of the Olympic Peninsula connected for decades to come.

More work to come

We still have plenty to do at the site, even with the main objective of building the new bridge complete.

The biggest task left is to demolish the old bridge. During demolition, we’ll temporarily divert the river towards one side of the bridge. On the dry side, we’ll begin taking apart the old bridge. We’ll then do the same on the other side. We’ve built construction pads beneath the bridge on each side to prevent any negative effects to the river. The pads catch any material that falls from the bridge as we take it apart.

Next, we’ll remove the old bridge columns and piers. We’ll replace that with sediment. We will also install 12 engineered logjams – this part has already begun. These steps will help restore the river to a more natural condition.

We have a few other improvements to do along US 101 as well. We’ll relocate the US 101/Olympic Hot Springs Road intersection to create a better sight line for travelers. That intersection will also get turning lanes to make turning onto US 101 easier. We also will put down permanent striping, signs and install new lighting.

Thank you

We recognize that highway construction isn’t easy. It’s stressful for residents, businesses and visitors alike. Thank you for your patience during the closure of US 101 while we brought the new bridge online for all to use. Thank you for continuing to keep our construction crews safe while they finish the project and to our steadfast maintenance crews who perform repairs every day and clear the snow during winter on our state highways. We each collectively play a part in allowing highway workers to go home to their families at night. Thank you for helping keep them safe.

Stay connected

While this project is in the homestretch, we all know there are other projects nearby that continue. To stay current on Olympic Peninsula construction, visit our online open house. Stay current on the latest state highway conditions by downloading the WSDOT app or visit the statewide travel map.

Summer of construction on Northeast 85th Street, including a full closure from July 26-29

This summer will be significant for the I-405/Northeast 85th Street Interchange and Inline BRT Station Project as crews work to carry out complex construction activities to build new I-405 bridge columns on Northeast 85th Street.

This work will require:

• traffic shifts
• lane reductions
• full weekend closure of Northeast 85th Street

Drivers should be prepared for:

• longer travel times than usual
• signed detour routes
• travel during off-peak hours to avoid congestion

Earlier in July, we restriped, set up barrier, and shifted traffic to establish a work zone in the median. This lane configuration is expected to be in place until mid-2025 while we build the new I-405 bridge columns.

Reduced left turn lanes to northbound and southbound I-405 on-ramps beginning in July

This summer, crews will shorten the length of the left turn lanes on Northeast 85th Street leading to northbound and southbound I-405 on-ramps. Left turn lanes to I-405 on-ramps will be shortened for up to eight weeks starting in July. Reducing lane length is needed to accommodate the large equipment in the work area necessary to drill and build the I-405 column foundations. Pedestrian access along the north side of Northeast 85th Street will be maintained via a temporary walkway.

Full closure of Northeast 85th Street from July 26 to July 29

Northeast 85th Street between Kirkland Way/114th Avenue Northeast and 120th Avenue Northeast will be closed in both directions from 9 p.m. Friday, July 26 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 29. Signed detours will be in place.

Details and updates of the full closure will be posted on the project webpage. The schedule is subject to change due to the nature of construction.

The detour maps for the full closures of Northeast 85th Street can be found by clicking on the links below:

• Northeast 85th Street vehicle detour routes
• Northeast 85th Street pedestrian and cyclist detour routes
• Northeast 85th Street to northbound I-405 on-ramp closure detour routes
• Northbound I-405 off-ramp to Northeast 85th Street closure detour routes
• Northeast 85th Street to southbound I-405 on-ramp closure detour routes
• Southbound I-405 off-ramp to Northeast 85th Street closure detour routes

Expect increased congestion and plan for additional travel time during these weekends. Use alternate routes and travel during off-peak hours if possible.

Looking ahead

The next big construction activity affecting Northeast 85th Street will be girder placements in September, causing two full weekend closures. We will regularly share updates via the project webpage, social media and email (sign up for our project listserv).

Adjusting to new travel patterns takes time, so it's important to stay focused on the road and mindful of the drivers around you. Construction schedules are subject to change. Our construction contractor, Graham, is working to reduce construction effects to travelers and neighbors.

Green, yellow, red and white: Some new colors and steps we’re taking to help keep everyone safe on the roads

By Barbara LaBoe

If you see green and yellow flashing lights on the road don't be alarmed – but please do pay attention.

The green and yellow lights aren't aliens coming to Earth. They're simply one more way we're helping keep our crews – and all travelers – safe on our roads. We've seen disturbing increases in speeding and erratic driving on all roads and in our work zones and we are always trying to find new ways to keep crews safe. Our crews – the ones facing these dangers every day – have also asked for extra protection.

Our crews work sometimes just inches from active traffic while repairing or improving our roads or responding to crashes. Despite warning signs, orange cones and other signals, too many people hit our vehicles or even strike our crews. We also have many near misses that don't injure anyone but are still terrifying.

And it's not just our crews – other travelers are also hurt in work zone crashes. Last year, the total number of work zone crashes increased nearly 5 percent – from 1,313 in 2022 to 1,377 in 2023. Of those injured, 95 percent were not workers but drivers, their passengers or pedestrians.

So here are two new steps we're taking:

Red and white reflective warning stripes

This will be applied on the back of all roadway work vehicles. The red and white stripes are in an upside down "V" design. It's another visual cue to be extra alert, slow down and give vehicles space to do their work safely. These will be on vehicles our Incident Response Team use as well as trucks and snowplows that regularly work on or next to highways. The IRT trucks currently have yellow and black stripes but the red and white are more noticeable for both them and all other trucks working on or near roads.

Red and white reflective stripes are being added to vehicles to make them more noticeable.

Different colored alternating lights

Our vehicles already have flashing lights, but often we see people drive straight past them without noticing.

To help make them more noticeable, we're switching it up a bit. Vehicles in work zones and on roads regularly – such as snowplows and other vehicles that work on or along highways – will have lights that alternate between green and yellow, instead of the current yellow flashing lights. We're making these changes – both the lights and the stripes -- based on new research by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program and the Transportation Research Board. The research showed the stripes and the lights changing between two colors helps people more easily see the vehicles – which is the entire goal.

The green lights are also more visible in fog.

This split screen shows how new green flashing lights are more visible in foggy conditions.

Other vehicles that need warning lights will have alternating yellow and white lights. Our Incident Response Team vehicles will keep their existing red lights, which they are allowed to use because they are first responders.

The new lights were installed in some of our Eastern Region trucks last year and worked well. Travelers said that the lights were easier to see. We'll now add them to all new vehicles, and we'll go back and retrofit some of our newer vehicles. It may take some time before everyone in the state sees the new lights, but the goal is to roll them out as quickly as time and budgets allow. Making these changes across the state helps keep our vehicles consistent. This helps travelers know what to look for and what to do when they see the lights.

It is important to note our vehicles already met all federal and agency standards for safety and visibility. These new steps are above and beyond what's required as we prioritize keeping crew members and travelers all safe.

Give 'em a Brake

Please be alert when you see the new lights and tape – but even more importantly, keep a lookout for all vehicles and workers on the road.

Our crews – and all road workers and first responders – are people just like you with loved ones who worry about them. These lights and tape changes are one more step to help keep them safe, but we need the public's help too.

Please remember anytime you're near a work zone or see flashing lights to:

• Slow Down – drive the posted speeds, they're there for your safety.
• Be Kind – our workers are out there helping to keep you safe and improve the roadways.
• Pay Attention – both to workers directing you and surrounding traffic; put down your phone when behind the wheel.
• Stay Calm – expect delays, leave early or take an alternate route if possible; no meeting or appointment is worth risking someone's life.
• Move Over, Slow Down – when you see emergency crews on the side of the road, please remember to move over one lane if possible and, if not, to slow down to 10 miles below the posted speed.

The top three causes of crashes in work zones – following too closely, speeding and inattention/distracted driving – are all preventable. That's where we need your help.

Our work crews are parents, children, spouses and friends. Please keep an eye out for these new lights and warning tape to help us ensure that everyone on the roads makes it home safe at the end of the day.