View entire map. Project area is located north of Shelton in Mason County.
Click to enlarge. Existing US 101 Purdy Creek Bridge.
Project Facts
- Design and public involvement began in early 2005.
- Construction started in July 2008. The new bridge opens to traffic in fall 2009.
- The new bridge is 350 long. It will be built above flood level.
Why is WSDOT
replacing the Purdy Creek Bridge?
The Purdy Creek Bridge site is the lowest point of US 101 in the Skokomish River Valley and the current bridge opening is inadequate to allow flood waters to pass beneath the roadway. As a result, floods frequently cause the closure of US 101 and cause damage to the existing bridge.
The lower Skokomish River basin has been the subject of numerous studies undertaken by Mason County, Tacoma City Light, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), United States Geologic Survey, the Skokomish Indian Tribe, and the US Army Corps of Engineers. These studies recommend several improvements throughout the Skokomish River Valley. Replacing Purdy Creek Bridge with a raised roadway and a longer span is one recommended improvement.
The 2004 State Legislature tasked WSDOT to construct a raised US 101 roadway and replacement bridge with a sufficient opening to allow floodwater to pass under the bridge and to allow the highway to remain open to traffic during flood events.
The End Result
This project replaces the existing timber-trestle bridge with a new concrete structure. The new bridge will be longer and higher than the existing bridge, reducing the risk of closure due to flooding or high water.
Project Benefits
- Safety. The new bridge and roadway will result in less flooding of US 101, improving safety for the traveling public. Also, it will be built to modern design standards with wider lanes and shoulders.
- Highway system upgrade. The existing bridge is an old timber trestle that requires frequent maintenance and repairs. The new bridge is designed to provide more than 50 years of service to the highway system.
- Reduced risk for catastrophic bridge failure. The portion of US 101 over Purdy Creek has had numerous closures due to floodwaters flowing over the roadway and subsequent repairs due to pavement washouts and bridge scour related damages (when creek flows wash away the soil around the bridge footings).
What is the project timeline?
Design and public involvement began in early 2005. Construction started in July 2008 and bridge construction is on schedule to be complete in late 2009.
The timeline for the construction of the Purdy Creek Bridge may be adjusted to avoid conflicts with bridge closures related to the Hood Canal Bridge project.
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Public involvement began during the design phase starting in early 2005. The WSDOT project team participated in an open house hosted by Mason County in April 2006. Additionally, an open house was held in late July 2006. A July 2006 newsletter (pdf 567 kb) was mailed to Skokomish Valley residents and other interested parties prior to the open house.
In the summer of 2005 a newsletter (pdf 439 kb) was mailed presenting general information about the project.
The project has also considered input from other governmental agencies that include, among others, Mason County, the Mason Conservation District, and the Skokomish Tribe.
Please check this regularly updated Web site or e-mail the project engineer for more information.
Environmental Protection
WSDOT makes every effort to assess and minimize environmental impacts from our projects. During project design, WSDOT works to reduce impacts to wetlands, creeks and rivers in the project area.
A detailed analysis of the project’s environmental impacts was completed. An appropriate plan for mitigation of potenial impacts was developed and documented as part of the environmental documentation and environmental permitting processes.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
We are working to improve transportation safety across the state. Learn more about WSDOT's commitment to safety.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
The Skokomish Indian Tribe is located to the north of the project site.
At WSDOT we seek to address the concerns of the tribal nations using the process outlined in Section 106 of The National Historic Preservation Act and the WSDOT Tribal Consultation Policy adopted in 2003 by the Transportation Commission as part of the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan.
For more information visit our WSDOT Tribal Liaison Web site.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following sources:
- Existing Funds - $15,060,241
- Total Funding Available From All Sources - $15,060,241
How can I get more information?
Contact:
MaryLou Nebergall, Project Engineer
WSDOT Lacey Project Office
7912 Martin Way, Suite E
Lacey, WA 98516-5703
Phone: 360-412-3420
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