A bridge over the North Fork of Muck Creek will close for about four months starting July 17 while it is replaced.

The 32-foot-long bridge, which is located along 8th Avenue East about a one-half mile south of 260th Street East, is expected to reopen in late November.

“The existing bridge was not designed to accommodate modern vehicle loads and volumes,” said Kraig Shaner, P.E., Pierce County Planning and Public Works bridge engineering supervisor. “Maintenance needs continue to increase as the bridge ages.”

A 7-mile detour will take motorists along Rice Kandle Road, 8th Avenue South, and 288th Street East. A map of the route is available at www.piercecountywa.org/muckcreekbridge.

The two-lane bridge, which is located near Spanaway and the southeast area of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, will be replaced with a single span prestressed concrete girder structure. The approaches to the bridge will be reconstructed. Crews will also replant plants in any disturbed areas.

The existing bridge was built in 1959 and carries approximately 2,900 vehicles a day. The existing bridge is a creosote-treated timber stringer bridge with precast concrete deck panels.

The contractor for the project is Active Construction, Inc. The construction cost is approximately $1,419,000. The project will be funded with $1,135,200 in Federal Highway Bridge Program (HBP) Replacement Funds and $283,800 in County Road Funds.

A project webpage is available at www.piercecountywa.org/muckcreekbridge.