October 20, 2025

White River Bridge reopens after record repair

WSDOT photo [enlarge]

Atkinson crews took less than five weeks to complete the emergency project originally estimated to take six to eight weeks.

The White River Bridge, closed since it was damaged in an Aug. 18 semi-truck strike, reopened Friday ahead of schedule after a series of swift turnarounds by government officials and agency and contractor crews.

Washington State Department of Transportation contractor Guy F. Atkinson Construction began repairing the 76-year-old steel-truss bridge on state Route 410 on Sept. 13, following county and state emergency declarations and an ahead-of-schedule completion of steel bracer installation by WSDOT crews.

Photo by Ian Couch, via OFM [enlarge]

Gov. Ferguson joined contractor crews and community leaders on Thursday to announce the reopening.

Atkinson crews worked every day on an emergency contract at the direction of Gov. Bob Ferguson. Crews took less than five weeks to complete the project originally estimated to take six to eight weeks.

“We made a commitment to reopen this bridge as quickly as possible,” Ferguson said at a Thursday press conference announcing the reopening. “Thanks to the hard work of our crews, engineers and contractors seven days a week, we're opening weeks ahead of schedule.”

Photo via WSDOT Instagram [enlarge]

Bending and tearing of this section of the 1949-era White River Bridge after being struck by the semi-truck Aug. 18 can be seen here.

Atkinson crews replaced damaged steel components, heat-straightened bent members, repainted the bridge, and removed the emergency braces installed by WSDOT crews before the bridge's reopening to traffic Friday.

Photo courtesy of WSDOT [enlarge]

Crews replaced damaged steel components, heat-straightened bent members, and repainted the bridge.

The project was estimated to cost $4.5 million, but the exact final amount won't be known for sure until things are totaled at the end, a WSDOT spokesperson told the DJC.

The bridge between Buckley and Enumclaw had been fully closed during repairs, with driving detours of up to 45 to 60 minutes on state routes 164, 18 and 167. Some people also used the pedestrian-only Foothills Trail Bridge, which had extended access, hours and bus service during the repair period.

The hit to the span by an over-height semi-truck caused extensive damage to the full bridge length, including horizontal and vertical components. King County Exec. Shannon Braddock and Ferguson both made quick emergency declarations, allowing waivers of public advertising and competitive procurement requirements for some contracts, extended overtime and work hours, and access to federal fund reimbursement.

“People just want government to work,” Ferguson said at Thursday's press conference. “Together we can move fast and solve big problems.”