Built in 1949, the steel bridge on SR 410 between Enumclaw and Buckley was last painted in 1988. The lifespan of the paint is 27 years, making it overdue for a fresh coat. The old paint is bubbled, corroded and peeling in places. Areas of rust are also visible.
WSDOT contractor crews will sand the rust and old paint before repainting the bridge in order to preserve the structure for years to come.
Most of the time there will be two narrow lanes in place on the White River Bridge. Occasionally during off-peak hours one lane will be closed and crews will alternate traffic through the open lane.
Once painted, the bridge will be protected from weathering and deterioration, extending its useful lifespan. If the bridge was not repainted, the steel would eventually deteriorate from rust, weaken, and become unable to support the weight of vehicle traffic.
Removing rust, corrosion, peeling paint and applying new paint preserves the White River Bridge, allowing the 21,000 drivers who use this section of SR 410 each day to travel over the river between Buckley and Enumclaw.
The White River Bridge connects the two communities with an approximate travel time of 4 minutes, a drive that would otherwise take approximately 45 minutes.
The estimated project cost is $2.8 million.
Nicole Daniels
WSDOT Communications
206-440-4479
nicole.daniels@wsdot.wa.gov
