WSDOT awards $70 million to fix 32 bridges

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Across Washington, bridges help connect the state’s communities. Thanks in part to a recent evaluation process, 32 of those bridges are in line to receive more than $70 million in federal highway funds.

The Washington State Department of Transportation selected city and county projects that will replace, remove or repair aging and structurally deficient bridges. These strategic investments will improve and preserve critical, locally owned transportation infrastructure.

“Approximately half of these bridges are beyond the point of repair and need to be replaced,” said Kathleen Davis, WSDOT Local Programs director. “And by repairing and preserving the other half, we are adding many years of operation to their lifespans.”

WSDOT’s bridge replacement advisory committee received and reviewed 73 applications requesting approximately $180 million. The committee evaluated each bridge application based on the bridge’s condition and sufficiency rating.

The committee is composed of bridge and engineering professionals representing Washington cities and counties that provide perspectives from urban and rural communities.

The local bridge program’s primary objective is to enhance safety for all travelers through replacement and rehabilitation of old, deteriorating bridges owned by city and county governments.