Maintenance on westbound bridge expected to slow travel across the Narrows
The Washington State Department of Transportation has scheduled a two-week maintenance closure on the westbound Tacoma Narrows Bridge that will start at 5 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 and run through Sunday, Nov. 8. The work will shut two lanes of SR 16 over the bridge and close the Jackson Avenue on-ramp for the duration.
WSDOT said crews will use the work zone to replace a deteriorating portion of an expansion joint on the westbound span. The agency said daylight hours are required for crews to work both above and below the bridge deck and to pour concrete around the newly placed piece.
This project is one of multiple recent repairs: WSDOT has carried out 11 repairs to the westbound bridge over the last two years, agency officials told news outlets. The department also directed that all vehicles be allowed to use the HOV lane during the closure so that two lanes remain open for general traffic across the westbound bridge.
What drivers should expect
Motorists should expect significant travel impacts, especially during afternoon commuting hours. WSDOT cautioned that drivers heading from Tacoma toward Gig Harbor could see delays of an hour or longer. Congestion is also likely on westbound SR 16 approaching the bridge and on nearby side streets.
- Closure window: Oct. 24–Nov. 8
- Lanes impacted: Two westbound lanes closed
- Ramp affected: Jackson Avenue on-ramp closed
- Traffic adjustment: HOV lane open to all vehicles so two lanes remain available
WSDOT recommended drivers prepare by ensuring they have a full tank of gas or a fully charged vehicle before traveling. The agency's guidance underscores the expectation that normal travel times will be substantially extended across the work period.
Local consequences and commuter responses
Residents and commuters on the west side of the Narrows told reporters the closure will disrupt routines already challenged by lengthy commutes. One rider who takes transit to Seattle described the trade-off between inconvenience and safety.
“I’m all for safety, and unfortunately it’s going to delay us for a while -- but in the overall scheme of things we’re going to be safer as a result,” said Scott McGinty.
Others described immediate practical impacts on family logistics. Julie Cain, who stopped for fuel ahead of the work, said she and her family planned to use a ferry to avoid the bridge but still expected difficulties getting children to school and extracurricular activities. Her comment highlights how the closure will ripple through household schedules, school runs and youth sports during the two-week period.
Broader context: aging infrastructure and short-term fixes
The Narrows closures come amid a string of short-term repairs to the westbound span. While the latest replacement of an expansion joint is framed as essential to safety, repeated work zones and lane reductions point to the operational challenges of maintaining a high-traffic state route that links Tacoma to Gig Harbor and other West Sound communities.
The agency’s decision to limit work to daylight hours reflects both the technical requirements of the repair and the safety protocols for crews working over active navigation and traffic corridors. Allowing HOV access to all vehicles is a mitigation step, but it is not expected to fully offset the capacity loss created by the temporary closure of two lanes.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Closure start | 5 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 24 |
| Closure end | Sunday, Nov. 8 |
| Lanes closed | Two westbound lanes (SR 16) |
| Ramp closed | Jackson Avenue on-ramp |
| Mitigation | HOV lane available to all vehicles |
For Tacoma area drivers, the closure is likely to mean revisiting travel plans for two weeks: leaving earlier, shifting routes, or opting for ferries and transit where possible. WSDOT continues to monitor the project and will provide updates if schedules change or if lane restrictions are adjusted.
The work underscores ongoing tensions between keeping critical crossings operational and the need for sustained investment in regional infrastructure to reduce recurring disruptions and to support the economic and social connections that hinge on reliable travel across the Narrows.
