Preserving history: Saving a piece of the historic Puyallup River Bridge as demolition gets underway

By Kris Olsen 

Say goodbye but plan for a “hello there!” to the historic, 100-year-old SR 167 Puyallup River Bridge. The bridge, sometimes called the Meridian Street Bridge, is going to be demolished beginning Wednesday, July 9. Well, most of it will be demolished, but we’re saving a piece for something special.

An important link
Built in 1925, the Puyallup River Bridge quickly became a vital link across the river, connecting the growing city of Puyallup to north Puyallup, Tacoma and beyond. It played a key role in the economic development of the area. The bridge helped people and goods move through the agricultural heart of Pierce County. Its construction went hand in hand with the region’s growth spurred by more cars and trucks and the popularity of the Washington State Fair, known then as the Puyallup Fair.

The Puyallup River Bridge not long after its construction in 1925.

Innovative design
Designed by the Union Bridge Company in Seattle, the bridge featured an innovative variation. It used steel truss that allowed for a longer span without requiring heavier materials in its construction. In recognition of its unique design, the 371-foot-long bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

Time takes its toll
But the bridge suffered many of the indignities of old age with failing parts. Time and weather had taken its toll on the steel, the concrete deck and the piers. It was no longer structurally sound or safe. We needed a new bridge over the river.

Two big moves
In July 2014, we reinforced the bridge and then moved it upstream by 60 feet. It continued to carry northbound traffic over the river during construction of a new bridge. When the new bridge opened in 2015, it was time for the old bridge to be removed from over the river.

Moving a 378-ton bridge is no small task. Over a weekend in August 2016, teams specializing in complex moves jacked the bridge up 21 feet. Then they carefully shifted it onto moving dollies and slowly pulled it north on SR 161 to a spot on our right of way near the SR 167 interchange.

The Puyallup River Bridge is slowly pulled up North Meridian Avenue in August 2016 to its final resting spot near SR 167

Then we offered it for sale. We also offered $1 million to anyone who met the qualifications to relocate, preserve and maintain the bridge. Still, we didn’t receive any qualified proposals.

With that, the efforts to save the bridge came to an end. Ever since, it’s been sitting in our right of way. We developed plans to one day demolish the bridge as part of our SR 167 Completion Project. That day has now arrived. To make room for the SR 167 expressway, the bridge is going to be cut apart and the steel recycled.

The Puyallup River Bridge rests in WSDOT right of way, just off North Meridian Avenue, where it will be demolished.   

Saving a piece of history

Not all of it will be destroyed though. The Puyallup City Council asked us to save and restore a small section of it. That section will be placed on the future spuyaləpabš Trail near the SR 167/North Meridian interchange as a historical heritage marker.

A portion of the historic Puyallup River Bridge will be preserved along the spuyaləpabš Trail near the SR 167/North Meridian interchange.

The bridge may be going, going, gone, but it’s never going to be forgotten.