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A modern bridge for modern times

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King County’s new $28 million Tolt Bridge over the Snoqualmie River near Carnation offers safer travel and key lifeline for local residents. It replaces an 86-year-old span that was woefully outdated.

A horse-drawn carriage was the first traffic on Tolt Bridge after it opened Friday, May 31st.

The King County Road Services Division opened the new bridge on Northeast Tolt Hill Road on May 30 with a short celebration that featured a parade of transportation styles from the past century. There were cars ranging from early Model T Fords to a 21st Century hybrid; vintage farm equipment; bicyclists; and pedestrians.

"People in our region depend on safe, reliable transportation systems to get them to and from home, work, and recreation opportunities. They are vital to our region’s economy and our quality of life," said King County Executive Ron Sims.

"Throughout the region, bridges, local streets, and other facilities are vital to our core transportation system. Failure of these structures would be catastrophic in terms of human and physical costs,” said Sims. “The new Tolt Bridge was built to withstand the demands of modern life while honoring the natural beauty of the lower Snoqualmie Valley."

King County Executive Ron Sims speaks at the ceremony for the opening of the new Tolt Bridge.

The new bridge was built on time and on budget, and strengthens the transportation network in the valley. It is approximately 165 feet upstream from the old bridge. It is wider and stronger making it safer for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The old bridge, built in 1922, had limited sight distance, a narrow roadway, and restricted weight limits. It also did not meet current seismic, safety, or roadway design standards.

“As much as we appreciate the old bridge for historic look and long years of service, it just couldn’t meet all of our transportation needs today and for the future,” said King County Department of Transportation Director Harold Taniguchi.

The new bridge addresses all those problems. It is approximately 1,000 feet long, and consists of two 300-foot steel trussed spans, a short approach span on the west side, and three 120-foot concrete girder spans on the east side of the river. The new Tolt Bridge has the longest single span (300 feet) in the county’s 185-bridge inventory.

It was built in ways that both protect and enhance the environment. One truss span lifts it above the surrounding wetlands, and the other truss span eliminates the need to place bridge supports in the Snoqualmie River. During construction, techniques were used to protect river habitat and juvenile fish. As part of the bridge project, the county opened up an old, narrow culvert to support fish passage in a tributary on the southeast side of the new bridge.

The county also wanted to make the appearance of the bridge fit into its rural surroundings. Working with the community, the Roads Services Division came up with a design for the new bridge that reflects the old bridge’s historic appearance.

Over the next two months, the old bridge will be demolished and the riverbank restored with native vegetation. But, parts of the old Tolt Bridge may be resurrected as a gateway at a local park.

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Updated: June 06, 2008

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