FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2014
MEDIA CONTACTS
Gwen Schuler, Media andCommunications, gschuler@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-5160
Carrie McCausland, Media and Communications, cmccausland@cityoftacoma.org, (253) 591-2005
Tacoma East 11th Street Bridge Closure
The City of Tacoma is closing the East 11th Street Bridge spanning the Puyallup River and attached viaduct through the Port of Tacoma area, to all uses.
The bridge, built in 1911, has been monitored, as are all bridges, since the City took possession from the State in 1995. Deterioration to joints, beams and trusses has progressed slowly but steadily and conditions, in the interest of public safety, now warrant a precautionary closure.
The bridge closure will not impact bus routes, emergency vehicles, or trucking traffic as a previous 10-ton weight limit went into effect in 2005. However, about 2,000 vehicles per day have continued to use the bridge.
“This is going to inconvenience some drivers, but our top priority is to keep people safe,” said Tacoma Public Works Director Kurtis Kingsolver. “I wish we could say it was going be short term, but that’s not known and bridge infrastructure costs are difficult for many local communities, not just Tacoma, to absorb.”
Drivers may use one of four other Tacoma-area Puyallup River bridge crossings, though similar issues triggered weight restrictions on the Puyallup Avenue area bridge earlier this year.
A definitive closure date has not been set, but is anticipated to occur within the next several weeks. City staff have already begun taking steps to inform the community via media, signs,variable message boards, and Port of Tacoma communications channels.
Long term, the bridge and viaduct’s replacement would cost an estimated $40 million with a demolition alternative estimated at $10 million.
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Added at 4:40 p.m. June 30, 2014:
One media outlet inaccurately associated this release with the Murray Morgan Bridge. For clarification purposes, please note that the report, which has since been corrected, was inaccurate.