Key corridors in Washington state damaged in recent incidents
(Washington, D.C.) – With two integral transportation links in Washington state recently closed due to serious damage, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined Rep. Dave Reichert (WA-8) in urging Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to grant emergency relief funding to help Washington state cover the costs of repairs.
On March 13, an over-height garbage truck struck and damaged the Interstate 90 (I-90) overpass above Front Street in Issaquah. In a separate incident on April 4, WSDOT closed the State Route 410 White River Bridge between Enumclaw and Buckley for emergency repairs after discovering damage to the bridge’s arched steel supports.
The members of Congress wrote, “The Front Street I-90 overpass is extremely important for both King County communities and the entire state of Washington as a key corridor for commerce. As part of the I-90 corridor, it plays an important role in supporting international trade through the movement of goods and is critical for creating and sustaining hundreds of thousands of jobs in Washington State.”
The overpass has since reopened but the right shoulder is closed until permanent repairs can be made. The White River Bridge is again open to traffic but permanent repairs will be made later this year.
About the White River Bridge, the members said, “As the sole transportation link across the White River, this bridge is vital for the transportation of goods and services, commuters to travel to and from their jobs, and enhancing the economic development and tourism opportunities in the region. In addition, the bridge is critical to the effective and timely delivery of emergency services. The bridge is a vital link to the Enumclaw Regional Hospital in Enumclaw; further closures of the bridge could seriously jeopardize our constituents’ access to critical health care.”
To read the full text of both letters, click here.
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