Murray Morgan Bridge to be painted black

By Todd Matthews • March 24, 2011 12:00 am
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Tacoma's Murray Morgan Bridge painted black. (IMAGE COURTESY CITY OF TACOMA)
Tacoma's Murray Morgan Bridge painted black. (IMAGE COURTESY CITY OF TACOMA)

The City of Tacoma’s Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) approved a plan Wednesday to give the historic Murray Morgan Bridge a fresh coat of paint.

On Monday, the Tacoma Daily Index was first to report the LPC was considering a proposal that called for painting the bridge either black or silver. According to documents prepared for the meeting by city engineer Tom Rutherford, the bridge was last painted in the mid-1970s when the truss spans were colored “space blue” and the girders on the city-side bridge approach were colored “viking grey.” Prior to then, in 1964, the old car ramp from Cliff Street to Dock Street was painted green. Rutherford added that the new paint would serve to further preserve the bridge and increase its life service.

During the LPC’s meeting yesterday, it approved painting the bridge black by a vote of seven to one.

The proposal to paint the bridge is part of a larger rehabilitation plan under way for the 98-year-old structure.

The bridge was closed to motor vehicles Oct. 23, 2007, due to safety concerns that arose after weeks of inspections by Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) engineers.

In 2008, the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation included the bridge on its annual list of Most Endangered Properties. Also in 2008, the bridge was included on Historic Tacoma’s “Watch List” of endangered historic sites. Eventually, the bridge was closed completely to all traffic, including pedestrians and bicyclists, while contractors replaced wire lift cables.

In September of last year, councilmembers approved a resolution to enter into an agreement with WSDOT and accept approximately $46.2 million in federal funds to be paid between 2011 and 2013. The amount included a $20 million interest-free loan, with $7.5 million loaned in 2011 and $12.5 million loaned in 2012. The city has 10 years to repay the loan. Last December, city officials announced thieves broke into the bridge mechanical room, stole copper wires, and damaged the control panel that allows operators to raise and lower the bridge deck. The estimated replacement cost is between $250,000 and $300,000, according to city officials.

In January of this year, Tacoma City Council unanimously approved a purchase resolution that awards a $49.2 million contract to PCL Construction Services of Bellevue, Wash., to fully rehabilitate the Murray Morgan Bridge and restore motor vehicle traffic to the bridge by 2012. According to the purchase resolution and supporting documents, the project includes “structural repairs, painting, deck replacement, mechanical and electrical system repairs and replacement, and superstructure seismic enhancements.”

Tacoma's Murray Morgan Bridge painted black. (IMAGE COURTESY CITY OF TACOMA)

To read the Tacoma Daily Index‘s complete and comprehensive coverage of the Murray Morgan Bridge rehabilitation, click on the following links:

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