Tacoma Narrows Bridge Lane Closures Ahead for Emergency Repairs
Crews recently uncovered damage beneath the driving surface of the 1950 bridge, requiring immediate action. The closures could extend through the weekend as crews assess and repair the issue.
Emergency repairs on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge reduce westbound lanes to two. Expect delays between Tacoma and Gig Harbor this weekend. (WSDOT)
By BRIAN HENDERSON · April 23, 2026 · PNW Daily
TACOMA, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Transportation is warning drivers to expect significant delays on the westbound Tacoma Narrows Bridge as emergency repairs force double-lane closures from Tacoma to Gig Harbor.
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Crews recently uncovered damage beneath the driving surface of the 1950 bridge, requiring immediate action. The closures could extend through the weekend as crews assess and repair the issue.
WSDOT is urging travelers to reduce demand on the corridor by combining trips, teleworking or rescheduling nonessential travel across the bridge.
Aging Bridge Presents Ongoing Challenges
The westbound span of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge has experienced a series of maintenance issues in recent years, largely due to its age and heavy daily use. The bridge carries an average of 45,000 vehicles per day.
In mid-May, an expansion joint issue forced a reduction from four lanes to two for several days. Later that month, crews identified additional problems with a “finger joint,” a type of expansion joint designed to allow the bridge to expand and contract with temperature changes.
Because these components are highly specialized, replacement parts must be custom manufactured, delaying repairs.
A previously scheduled repair project reduced westbound traffic to two lanes from 4 a.m. June 15 to 4 p.m. June 16, taking advantage of lower weekend traffic volumes. However, officials caution that future emergency closures may not align with less congested periods.
Growing List of Repair Needs
According to WSDOT, the westbound bridge, one of the largest in the state’s inventory, requires extensive ongoing work, including:
Replacement of expansion joints
Elevator mechanical repairs in bridge towers
Emergency electrical system upgrades
Rehabilitation of tower damping mechanisms
Structural repairs, including corrosion mitigation and replacement of damaged components
Full repainting of towers, cables and support structures
A major preservation project aimed at addressing expansion joints and extending the bridge’s lifespan has been delayed due to lack of funding, with the earliest start now projected for 2026.
Funding Constraints Strain System
Transportation officials say years of underfunding for maintenance and preservation programs are contributing to worsening conditions across Washington’s infrastructure.
As of June 2023, 315 of the state’s 3,384 bridges were 80 years old or older. The number of state-owned bridges in poor condition rose from 199 in 2022 to 213 in 2023.
WSDOT emphasized that maintenance, short-term fixes like pothole repair, and preservation, long-term investments such as resurfacing or structural rehabilitation, must work together. However, limited funding has forced the agency to delay critical projects.
Officials liken the situation to home maintenance. Routine upkeep can extend the life of a roof, but without eventual replacement, deterioration accelerates and costs rise.
Clarifying Toll Usage
WSDOT also addressed a common misconception about toll funding.
“Before you type in all caps ‘whatabout those tolls,’ a reminder that tolls don’t pay for maintenance on the westbound Tacoma Narrows Bridge,” WSDOT said. “Tolling on the eastbound SR 16 Tacoma Narrows Bridge helps repay the costs to build the eastbound bridge, which opened in 2007.”
This means toll revenue does not fund maintenance or repairs on the westbound span.
“Tolls are only collected for trips headed to Tacoma, and toll rates are a fixed rate no matter when you travel,” WSDOT said.
The Washington State Transportation Commission sets toll rates, which apply only to eastbound traffic heading into Tacoma.
Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance
Maintenance crews conduct weekly inspections and perform ongoing repairs to keep both bridge spans operational. In addition, WSDOT’s Bridge Preservation Office carries out routine and specialized inspections on annual and multi-year cycles.
Officials stress the bridge is not being neglected but is experiencing the realities of aging infrastructure.
“The team that cares for this bridge takes a lot of pride in their work,” WSDOT said. “They strive to keep this span in the best condition possible.”
What Drivers Should Expect
Lane closures on the westbound bridge often result in severe backups, particularly during weekday evening commutes. Officials note that before the second span opened, drivers routinely planned for up to an hour to cross the Narrows during peak times.
With more emergency repairs likely in the future, WSDOT is asking for public cooperation and patience.
“There’s never a good time to close lanes,” officials said, “but we’re doing the best we can in a tough situation.”
Travelers are encouraged to stay informed and plan accordingly as work continues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why not shift traffic?
While some drivers suggest rerouting traffic onto the eastbound bridge, similar to reversible express lanes in Seattle, WSDOT says the process is complex and time-consuming. Reconfiguring traffic requires extensive setup, including miles of traffic control devices and reduced speeds in both directions. The agency says deploying such measures for short-term emergency work could worsen congestion rather than relieve it.
What caused the structural issues?
Aging infrastructure and ongoing issues with expansion joints, including “finger joints.”
Why didn’t my tolls pay for repairs to prevent this?
Tolls on the eastbound bridge do not fund maintenance on the westbound span.
What should i expect in the next few years?
More emergency repairs and closures are likely as the bridge continues to age.
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