Community Transportation

Bridge lanes to remain closed at least through Thursday

Two westbound lanes of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge will remain closed through at least Thursday for emergency repairs, the Washington State Department of Transportation announced Tuesday.

WSDOT closed the two lanes Monday afternoon after crews found a problem with an expansion joint. Traffic backups stretched well into Tacoma during the afternoon commute Tuesday.

WSDOT crews removed the damaged portion of the expansion joint overnight Monday and performed repairs both on and below the bridge deck on Tuesday. They poured concrete Tuesday afternoon.

We’ve done all the work on the WB SR 16 Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Now we just need time. The new concrete takes at least 48 hours to cure – so we can’t open all lanes until Thursday afternoon at the earliest.
Thanks for your patience and understanding as we take care of the bridge. pic.twitter.com/GXeO16LmbN

— WSDOT Tacoma (@wsdot_tacoma) May 15, 2024

The concrete requires at least 48 hours to cure before the affected lanes can be re-opened. The department expects that to be complete sometime Thursday, depending on whether the concrete needs more time to set up.

Little or no work will be happening during the two days required for the concrete to set up.

WSDOT’s news release asked travelers to avoid discretionary trips and avoid crossing toward Gig Harbor during commute hours if possible. The department also urged drivers to monitor its real-time traffic map and sign up for email updates about the work.

Traffic backups on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge during rush hour on Tuesday, May 14, as seen via a WSDOT traffic camera.