Month-Long Tacoma Narrows Lane Closure Starts This Weekend

GIG HARBOR, WA — No, it's not convenient to close lanes across the busy Tacoma Narrows Bridge — but it's very important.

On Sunday, WSDOT will close the westbound HOV lanes for about a month so crews can inspect the bridge's cables. The new bridge carrying eastbound SR 16 traffic will not be affected by the work.

"On the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the main cables suspend the bridge deck, which carries most of the bridge's weight, and all of the vehicles on the bridge," Olympic Region Operations Engineer Chris Keegan said in a press release. "It’s vital to inspect the cables to keep them in a state of good repair and identify any needed preservation work."

Here's what to expect, according to WSDOT:

• From 2 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, two lanes will be closed starting at Jackson Avenue in Tacoma while crews set up the containment system.
• One lane will be reopen at 11 a.m., but the westbound HOV lane will remain closed throughout the month-long work.
• Westbound SR 16 HOV drivers will use one of the three general purpose lanes over the 1950 Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
• Traffic on the newer 2007 Tacoma Narrows Bridge (eastbound SR 16) will not be affected.
• There will be a second double-lane closure at the end of the work.