Sumner-based Petersen Brothers, Inc., completed installation Tuesday of State Route 16 median barriers on the Tacoma and Gig Harbor ends of the two Tacoma Narrows bridges.

“The new bridge continues to be an enormous success in terms of congestion relief and safety,” said Kevin Dayton, WSDOT Olympic Region Administrator. “These median barriers enhance that level of safety for motorists approaching the bridges.”

Installation of the barriers is one of the final work items of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge project. Since the second bridge opened two years ago, safety and travel times have improved significantly. These new barriers reduce the likelihood that vehicles approaching the bridge will cross into oncoming traffic, while still allowing a U-turn route for emergency vehicles.

The barriers, installed for about $199,000, can be moved to divert traffic from one bridge to another in the event of a major blocking collision or bridge closure.