Governor Inslee Visits Atkinson's Puyallup River Bridge Project

June 16, 2015

Governor Inslee Visits Atkinson's Puyallup River Bridge Project
PUYALLUP, Wash. – Last month, Governor Jay Inslee visited the SR 167 Puyallup River Bridge Replacement project. Atkinson is leading the design-build effort to replace the existing 1925 Warren Truss bridge with a new bridge that meets today's design and construction standards.
 
Governor Inslee has put forth a plan to invest $12.2 billion in state transportation over the next 12 years. The plan outlines the states construction efforts to improve reliability, reduce traffic, keep drivers safe, and create jobs.
 
Last year Atkinson relocated the SR 167 Puyallup River Bridge. To accomplish this, the team constructed new temporary piers and approach roadways and rolled the Warren Truss bridge to the east for use as a temporary northbound detour. 
 
Using powerful jacks, Atkinson lifted the 1.5 million-pound bridge several feet, then slid it over three feet at time, repeating the lift and slide movement until the bridge was relocated 60 feet into its new position. Crews are currently constructing the 557-foot-long steel girder bridge within the existing northbound Warren Truss bridge footprint. The new steel bridge will eliminate in-water pier and fish window constraints on the schedule, provide flexibility for future master plan construction, and is designed to accommodate the future levee widening.
 
The Puyallup River Bridge carries an average of about 18,000 vehicles daily. It serves as the main link between North Meridian, River Road, and SR 167. The bridge will have wider lanes and shoulders, as well as an eight-foot sidewalk for safer bicycle and pedestrian access.
 
The replacement project in Puyallup is scheduled for completion this fall.