WSDOT lifts weight restriction on SR 509 Puyallup River Bridge

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) this week completed final repairs to the State Route 509 Puyallup River Bridge in downtown Tacoma and lifted the weight restriction in place since a 2002-rail car fire damaged the span. Bridge engineers inspected the bridge after the fire and deemed it safe for traffic, but imposed a weight restriction until permanent repairs could be made. Granite Construction Company completed girder replacement in early May and recently completed repairs under the span. WSDOT bridge engineers inspected the span and lifted the weight restriction today between I-705 and Port of Tacoma Road, mileposts 0.0 and 2.81. Previously, the maximum load was limited to 105,500 pounds. WSDOT awarded the $2.9 million repair contract to Granite Construction Company in June 2009. Funding came from a settlement with Burlington Northern Santa Fe and existing funds.