TACOMA, Wash. – A historic bridge in Pierce County is now off-limits to both vehicles and pedestrians after the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) deemed it structurally unsafe.
The Carbon River Fairfax Bridge, which has stood for over 100 years, has officially been closed, WSDOT confirmed on Monday. The decision follows ongoing concerns about the bridge’s deteriorating condition and its ability to safely carry weight.
Decades Past Its Prime
Constructed in 1921, the bridge far exceeds the typical 75-year service life expected for bridges in Washington state. While the average state-owned bridge is around 51 years old, the Fairfax Bridge has long been under scrutiny.
In recent years, officials had already limited traffic on the bridge by imposing lane restrictions and banning emergency vehicles from using it. The latest inspection prompted the complete closure due to increasing safety risks.
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No Replacement Plans – Yet
At this time, WSDOT says there are no funds allocated to replace the aging structure. A spokesperson explained that prolonged deferred maintenance, driven by insufficient preservation funding, has led to the bridge’s worsening state.
“There simply isn’t money available right now to rebuild it,” the agency said in an online statement. “Ongoing deterioration and updated weight limits have left us with no other option but to close it indefinitely.”
There’s no timeline for when—or if—the bridge might be repaired or replaced. For now, the iconic structure will remain closed to all access until further notice.
