10/16/2026
Rider Alert: Starting Oct. 24, during the lane closures, Pierce Transit Route 100 going to Gig Harbor will not stop at the Narrows Park and Ride.
Let's talk about the westbound Tacoma Narrows Bridge. We've got good news, bad news, and not-so-surprising news.
The good.
The expansion joints on the 1950 Tacoma Narrows Bridge, the ones causing most of our emergency lane closures, are scheduled to be replaced next year. Additional preservation funding through 2031 will also help keep Sturdy Gertie operating for years to come.
The bad.
In the meantime, we’re still dealing with short-term emergency fixes. There’s a big fix to a joint coming later in October -- a partial joint replacement near the Tacoma side. We’re replacing part of the joint and it will require two weeks of around-the-clock westbound lane closures.
The not-so-surprising
Emergent joint work will likely be the norm until we’re able to replace them next year. We use the bridge daily and know what this means for everyone traveling from Tacoma to Gig Harbor during the afternoon commute.
More details about the ailments of our beloved Sturdy Gertie, what’s in the works, and tips on how to avoid the biggest backups are in our latest blog about the bridge.
https://wsdotblog.blogspot.com/2026/09/aging-bridge-joints-sturdy-gertie-in.html