$1.4 million bridge suits 'modern' traffic

By Pat Jenkins

The Dispatch

A 58-year-old bridge across Muck Creek in the Spanaway area has been replaced with one that officials said is more up to the task of handling modern-day traffic.

The new bridge across the creek’s north fork opened on Nov. 8, capping a four-month demolition and construction project for Pierce County that began with the old span’s closure and removal beginning July 18.

The crossing is part of Eighth Avenue East, about a half-mile south of 260th Street East and near Spanaway and the southeast portion of Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Some work, such as permanent roadway markings, was continuing at the end of last week. The bridge will remain open to traffic, but with some traffic control (flagging or shoulder closures) during the day, said Anne Radford, a spokeswoman for the county's Planning and Public Works Department.

Built at a cost of $1.4 million, the new two-lane concrete bridge stretches 100 feet. Roadway approaches to the bridge also were reconstructed.

About 2,900 vehicles per day crossed the old bridge, which was built from creosote-treated timber and precast concrete deck panels. The new one will be a prestressed concrete girder structure. The roadway on each end of it will be reconstructed. Crews will also replant any trees or plants that are disturbed the work, officials said.

The former bridge was built in 1959 from creosote-treated timber and precast concrete deck panels. It wasn’t designed to accommodate modern vehicle loads and volumes, and maintenance of the bridge increased as it aged, according to county road officials.

The Federal Highway Bridge Program was the source of about $1.1 million in funding for the new bridge. The remaining cost of $283,800 came from county road funds.

During the project, a seven-mile detour took motorists along Rice Kandle Road, Eighth Avenue South and 288th Street East.

The contractor for the project was Active Construction Inc., a Tacoma-based company that tore down and remove the old bridge and build the new one.