The North Fork Bridge on 428^th Avenue Southeast, over the Snoqualmie River, will be closed for approximately eight weeks beginning Monday, July 7 at 7 a.m.

During that time, the King County Department of Transportation Road Services Division will be completing a major seismic upgrade on the bridge. Four new concrete drilled shafts will be constructed at the bridge ends. Also, new restrainers and brackets will be installed at the center span to provide seismic stability and prevent possible collapse of the bridge during a major earthquake. The total project cost is $1.1 million.

The bridge is located 500 feet south of the intersection of 428^th Avenue Southeast and Southeast Reinig Road, east of North Bend. Most motorists can detour using Meadowbrook Way and Reinig Road. But truck traffic will need to detour via State Route 202 to Southeast 66^th Avenue and Mill Pond Road, because the bridge on Meadowbrook Way is load limited. Detour signs will be posted on the roads in the vicinity of the bridge.

Due to the limited space available for the large construction equipment required for the bridge project – and for safety reasons – this will be a full closure, applying to all pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrian traffic, as well as motor vehicles. The county will be working with the public to resolve transportation issues for special events during the bridge closure. After the bridge reopens, work will continue on the underside of the bridge through October.