Residents of Pierce County and commuters on State Route 16 need to plan ahead for scheduled maintenance on the eastbound Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, the two right‑most lanes approaching the bridge will be closed, and access to the toll‑booth plaza will be blocked. The closures are part of a routine joint‑cleaning project carried out by Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) crews.
Friday night: right‑lane shutdown and toll‑booth closure
From Friday night until 6 a.m. Saturday, drivers must stay in the left lanes to cross the bridge. All toll booths will be closed for the duration of the work, and motorists without a Good To Go! account will receive a mailed bill after their trip. Vehicles entering SR‑16 from 24th Street or 36th Street will follow signed detours that route them onto Olympic Drive before re‑joining eastbound traffic.
Saturday night: left‑lane shutdown, toll plaza remains open
The following night, from 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, until 6 a.m. Sunday, the two left‑most lanes will be closed while crews finish the joint‑cleaning work. Unlike Friday, the toll plaza and all ramps will stay open, allowing drivers to pay at the booths as usual.
Why the work matters
The eastbound Tacoma Narrows Bridge, opened in 2007, requires annual maintenance to keep its structural components in good condition. WSDOT schedules this work at night to minimize disruption for the high volume of commuters who rely on the bridge each day. Keeping the bridge’s joints clean helps preserve its integrity and ensures a safe crossing for families, workers, and freight traffic.
Tips for motorists
- Allow extra travel time and plan alternate routes if possible.
- Follow posted detour signs when using 24th Street or 36th Street.
- Drivers without a Good To Go! account should expect a mailed toll invoice.
- Stay alert for workers and reduced lane widths in the work zone.
WSDOT reminds all motorists to reduce speed, obey traffic control devices, and respect the safety of bridge crews. By cooperating with these temporary measures, drivers help ensure the long‑term reliability of a critical regional link.
Original reporting: KIRO 7 (Tacoma / Pierce County stories) — read the source article.
