WSDOT plans repairs on SR 410 White River Bridge between Buckley and Enumclaw

BUCKLEY – The Washington State Department of Transportation now has a plan for a temporary fix on the White River Bridge on State Route 410 between Buckley and Enumclaw that could reopen it to one-way alternating traffic by the end of September.

On Monday, Aug. 18, the bridge was struck causing extensive damage to the structure and the immediate closure of the bridge.

Last week WSDOT bridge inspectors and engineers conducted a detailed assessment and inspection of the bridge before inputting information into a modeling program, which helped determine the next steps for repairs and reopening.

Repairs to the White River Bridge

WSDOT will fabricate and install five temporary braces on the bridge along the panels of the structure. These braces work similar to a splint or cast for a broken bone. The brace works alongside the damaged section, so the load doesn’t rest on the weakened component alone. WSDOT plans to install each brace as it is fabricated.

Once the braces are in place, which we hope will be by mid- to late-September, the intent is to reopen a single lane of the bridge to alternating traffic. Traffic would move down the centerline of the bridge and be controlled by temporary traffic signals at each end, similar to what is currently in place on the SR 169 Dan Evans/Green River Bridge.

Because of the extensive damage, the bridge cannot safely reopen to two lanes of traffic until permanent repairs are made. WSDOT bridge engineers are developing that long-term repair plan now, and details about the schedule and construction will be shared once they are finalized.

Detour remains until temporary repairs made

Until the temporary fix is in place, a full closure remains at both ends of the bridge, which means traffic, pedestrians and bicycles are not allowed. A signed detour directs travelers around the closure using SR 164, 18, 167 and 410. Travelers should allow extra time, as this detour can add 45 to 60 minutes of travel or more during peak travel times.

Coordinated response

Because of the significant impact to safety, mobility and the daily life of the surrounding communities, WSDOT continues to work closely with local municipalities, the Governor’s office, state and local elected officials and first responders to manage the response to this emergency closure.

Earlier today, Governor Bob Ferguson declared an emergency in King and Pierce counties as a result of the closure of the White River Bridge. The emergency proclamation allows the state to seek federal funds to reimburse the work currently underway to repair the bridge, and work into the future. 

Bridge background

The White River Bridge is a steel truss bridge built in 1949. It carries an average of 22,099 vehicles each day. WSDOT bridges are inspected on a two-year cycle. The last inspection of this bridge took place in April 2025, and the bridge was determined to be in fair condition. A bridge is expected to have a service life of 75 years based on current standards. The average age of state-owned vehicular bridges is 51 years.

WSDOT will continue to provide updates as more information is available. In addition to the real-time travel map, information is available from the WSDOT mobile app and by signing up for WSDOT's email updates.