The bridge that provides access to Mount Rainier has been permanently closed since April due to structural concerns.
WILKESON, Wash. — The fate of a connection to a part of Mount Rainier National Park hangs in limbo as the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) considers options for the state Route 165 Fairfax Bridge.
The bridge, which has been closed since April, posed safety concerns due to the structural integrity of the bridge's steel supports. WSDOT made the decision to permanently close the bridge on April 22.
RELATED: 103-year-old bridge's closure isolates key areas of Mount Rainier National Park
Now, WSDOT is considering two options following a planning study. One of those options keeps the bridge permanently closed.
"This fall, a WSDOT design team will start preliminary engineering and the environmental review phase on the two alternatives being advanced from the planning study," said Cara Mitchell with WSDOT in a statement to KING 5.
She said those alternatives are replacing the bridge in a location north of where the bridge currently sits or to "maintain the permanent bridge closure."
For the first option, Mitchell said the timeline for building a new bridge would take around six years. That timeline is from preliminary engineering to final construction. She added that WSDOT does not have construction funding allocated for the bridge.
"The build option looks at replacing the bridge within the first half mile north of the existing bridge," Mitchell said. "Preliminary cost estimates are at $160 million. While WSDOT has allocated preservation funding from the current transportation budget to start preliminary engineering and environmental review, the agency does not have construction funding assigned to the project."
For the second option, the Fairfax Bridge would be torn down. No alternative route would be available to that portion of Mount Rainier.
"State Route 165 would end south of Carbonado where the current closure is," Mitchell said.
She added that an early timeline for bridge removal is 1.5 to three years. This applies to the option of building a new bridge as well.
"[The] bridge removal portion, in both the build and no-build option[s], is estimated at $15 million to $25 million," Mitchell said.
WSDOT said the environmental review stage will provide additional opportunities for community input on both options being considered. The agency said the timeline for that stage would be "roughly two years."
Washington's Department of Transportation said this start date gives those using the express way time to prepare.
SEATAC, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced Tuesday that tolling on state Route 509 will begin Sept. 29.
In a press release, WSDOT said those using the expressway will pay a toll of anywhere from $1.20 to $2.40. This toll varies depending on the day and is the range when drivers display a Good to Go! pass. Those driving without a Good to Go! pass will pay by mail with $2 added to the toll.
RELATED: New toll proposal sparks debate for Puget Sound projects
WSDOT said the toll only applies to the new portion of the expressway, between Interstate 5 and 24th Avenue South. All other areas that were previously opened will remain free to use. They said the tolling helps cover maintenance costs.
"Tolling is beginning [Sept. 29] to start covering the costs of operating and maintaining the new road," the department said in a press release. "Tolling also will help fund the current and future construction work planned as part of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Puget Sound Gateway [Program]."
The Puget Sound Gateway Program is a $2.83 billion construction operation which completes state Route 509 in King County and state Route 167 in Pierce County. An additional 2 miles of state Route 509 are expected to be complete in 2028.
Between now and Sept. 29, those planning to use the new portion of the expressway should sign up for a Good to Go! pass. The department says those waiting to sign up until the end of September or early October should expect longer wait times.
More information on the specific tolls can be found here.
The crash was reported around 2 p.m. The cause of the crash is currently unknown.
KIRKLAND, Wash. — 1 person is dead and multiple people are injured after a car crashed into Kirkland Grocery Outlet Sunday.
Kirkland Fire said the driver hit the front of the building. The driver and three other bystanders have been transported to the hospital. Their conditions are unknown at this time. It is unclear whether those hit by the car were in the store at the time of the crash.
The cause of the crash is currently being investigated by Kirkland Fire.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information is received.
