Road Work on SR-16 Near Tacoma Narrows Bridge: What You Need to Know

What Happened? (Update)

As of 8:40 a.m. Friday: The road work project planned for Friday has been called off!
According to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), it will be moved to another date later on.

Important Point: If you were worried about delays on Friday, you can relax — the work is not happening today.

Original Plan (Before It Was Canceled)

Here is what was supposed to happen, just so you know what the plan was:

• Road work might have slowed down travel from Gig Harbor to Tacoma on Friday morning.
• The right lane of eastbound State Route 16 (SR-16), after the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, was going to be closed.
• The closure was planned from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 17.
• Crews were going to:
  • Repair asphalt (the black road surface)
  • Cut brush (trim plants and bushes on the side)
• The Jackson Avenue exit was going to stay open.
• WSDOT said the work was not on the bridge itself — only on the road section starting at Jackson Avenue.

Why Those Hours?

WSDOT spokesperson Cara Mitchell explained it simply:

• “The hours are set to not coincide with peak commute hours.”
  (That means they picked times when most people are not rushing to work.)
• The work was kept to a small section so it would bother fewer drivers.

Tips WSDOT Gave to Drivers

If the work happens on the new date, here is what they asked people to do:

1. Build in extra travel time — leave earlier than usual.
2. Drive at posted speeds — follow the speed limit signs.
3. Travel outside of scheduled work hours if you can.
4. Remember: the work could be rescheduled if it rains (wet weather makes road repair hard).

Summary

The Friday SR-16 road work after the Tacoma Narrows Bridge was canceled and will be rescheduled. Originally, the right lane was going to close from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 17 for asphalt and brush work, with the Jackson Avenue exit staying open. The bridge itself was not involved, and the timing was chosen to avoid busy commute times. Drivers should watch for the new date and plan ahead.

FAQ

Q: Is the Tacoma Narrows Bridge being repaired?
A: No. WSDOT said the work was only on the road section starting at Jackson Avenue, not on the bridge.

Q: Will the Jackson Avenue exit be closed during the work?
A: No, the department said the Jackson Avenue exit will remain open.

Q: What happens if it rains on the new work day?
A: The construction could be rescheduled because rain makes the repair job difficult.

Q: Why were the work hours 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.?
A: Those hours were picked so they would not overlap with the busiest commuting times.