Milroy Bridge Closed Tuesday

PUYALLUP, WA - If you're among the 10,000 commuters who use the Milroy Bridge to cross the Puyallup River every day, you'll need to find an alternate route on Tuesday while Pierce County Planning and Public Works close the bridge for a detailed structural inspection.

The Milroy Bridge is closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 9. Alternate routes over the river can be found roughly 3 miles to the east, via North Meridian Avenue, or about 4 miles to the west, via Interstate-5.

According to Pierce County officials, crews closed the 88-year-old bridge because some of the structural components being assessed can only be accessed using special equipment that would make using the roadway at the same time hazardous.

During the closure, county bridge engineering staff will check out the bridge's structural components, perform routine maintenance, and assess the structure for future maintenance needs, county officials said Monday. Additionally, repairs will be made to the bridge deck and sidewalks as needed.

The closure and inspection are reportedly conducted every other year as part of the county's bridge inspection program, which "ensures the safety of the traveling public and the longevity of the county's transportation infrastructure," officials said.

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