In Pierce County, a routine inspection of the Tacoma Narrows bridge could mean big traffic headaches for drivers.
The work could affect the commutes for thousands of South Sound drivers.
The inspection and repairs started today and will last through Thursday. The bridge will stay open – but it will almost certainly be slow going.
If there is any good news, ‘day one’ ended early Monday. In fact, by 2 p.m., the bridge was fully back open.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has timed the work to try to limit the impact, but there is no doubt, there will be an impact.
If yours is one of the 45,000 vehicles that cross the Tacoma Narrows Bridge each day, you could be stuck.
Zach Pim from Lakewood had gotten word of the closure, but he was still in for a surprise this Monday morning.
“I didn’t realize that the ramp on Jackson was going to be closed. And I didn’t realize when it was going to be taking place,” said Pim.
WSDOT says its workers will be doing a deep dive this week into the condition of the westbound side of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.