Fox Island Bridge
Type, Size, and Location
Project Timeline
A bridge inspection prompted discussions on replacement or retrofit options 2012
WE’RE HERE
Second public open house meeting in-person and online APRIL 2025
Completed a preliminary TS&L, finding rehab and retrofit options not cost-effective 2013 - 2016
Held a public open house meeting in-person and online AUG. 2024
FEEDBACK WE RECEIVED:
Next Steps: Estimated Timeline
Anticipate completing the TS&L study LATE 2025
Advance design, begin environmental permitting, and pursue funding 2026 - 2027
Explored potential funding sources and financial scenarios 2017 - 2021
TS&L study kicked off EARLY 2024
Budgeted for the TS&L bridge replacement study 2022
Property appraisals, acquisitions, and relocations 2028 - 2029
Advertised and selected a consultant to perform the TS&L 2023
Construction, dependent on environmental permitting, funding, and right-of-way 2030 - 2031
Where are we now?
We evaluated the following solutions to replace the current Fox Island Bridge to determine which were feasible options to move forward:
No Build: Bridge Replacement Deferral
Our Purpose and Need
To provide a replacement transportation facility across Hale Passage, connecting the Gig Harbor Peninsula to Fox Island.
The project will accommodate active transportation and enhance resiliency by addressing seismic and climate change factors.
Rehabilitate and Retrofit
Replacement Bridges
Floating Bridges
Tunnels
Ferry Services
We’re currently studying these feasible options in greater depth:
No Build: Bridge Replacement Deferral
Each solution was reviewed based on these criteria:
Cost (in 2024 dollars)
Right-of-way (ROW), construction, 75-year lifecycle maintenance
Number of property impacts
Operations
Travel time/delay, bike & pedestrian, emergency services, school buses, marine vessel passage, fire & life safety, maintainability
Engineering factors
Geometric feasibility, drainage/water quality, seismic/sea level rise resiliency, constructability
Environmental factors
Boat launch impacts
Traffic impacts during construction
Other risk factors
Permitting, hazardous transport, etc.
2000
ft. Long Bridge Replacement: East
2000 ft. Long Bridge Replacement: West 3000 ft. Long Bridge Replacement
Option Considered Non-Feasible...
Rehabilitate & Retrofit
Design Considerations
• Rehabilitation Work
Includes concrete repairs/patches throughout, strengthening the existing girders, and a full deck overlay.
• Seismic Retrofit Work
New bridge supports will be built around the existing supports to improve seismic resiliency.
Quick Facts
$275M - $292M*
Construction and ROW cost
0-3 properties impacted
$30M - $38M*
75-year lifecycle costs
Would not accommodate sea level rise
No improved pedestrian and bike accommodations
Option dropped due to significant traffic impacts during construction, lack of bike and pedestrian facilities, and climate resiliency ; this option does not fully address structural longevity concerns.
Does not address structural longevity
Environmental permitting challenges
Significant impacts to traffic during construction for numerous years, with one-lane operation over the bridge
REHAB AND SEISMIC RETROFIT
Considerations and Impacts
Fox Island Causeway Modifications Required No
Boat Launch Impacts None
Estimated Property Impacts 0-3
Traffic Operations
Same as Existing
Estimated Environmental Impacts Moderate
Construction Impacts to Existing Traffic Significant, Over Several Years
Bike & Pedestrian Accommodations
Same as Existing
Addresses Sea Level Rise No
Marine Vessel Navigation Clearances
Same as Existing
Option dropped due to significant traffic impacts during construction, lack of bike and pedestrian facilities, and climate resiliency ; this option does not fully address
Estimated Cost Summary 2024 Dollars
Floating Bridges
Design Considerations
• Stormwater collection and treatment
• Pontoon anchors
• Navigation clearances
Quick Facts
• Monitoring Water seepage, pumps, etc.
• Height of transition spans to accommodate for tides, storms, sea level rise, etc.
$294M - $347M*
Construction and ROW cost 5-10 properties impacted
Possible enhanced boat launch parking
$675M - $900M*
75-year lifecycle costs
Includes bike and pedestrian accommodations
Option dropped due to lifecycle costs and restricted marine vessel passage.
Longitudinal Continuous
Pontoons (High vs Low Tide)
Transverse Discrete Pontoons (High vs Low Tide)
Significantly reduced or restricted marine vessel clearance under bridge
Environmental and US Coast Guard permitting challenges
Minimal impacts to traffic during construction
FLOATING BRIDGE
Considerations and Impacts
Fox Island Causeway Modifications Required No
Boat Launch Impacts None, Possible Enhanced Parking
Estimated Property Impacts 5-10
Traffic Operations Same as Existing
Estimated Environmental Impacts Moderate
Construction Impacts to Existing Traffic Minimal Bike & Pedestrian Accommodations
Addresses Sea Level Rise
Marine Vessel Navigation Clearances Restricted or Not Available
Estimated
Cost Summary 2024 Dollars
Considered Non-Feasible...
Tunnels
Design Considerations
• Air ventilation and exhaust/smoke extraction
• Hazardous/ flammable material transport
• Lighting, drainage, and utilities
Quick Facts
• Tunnel closures for maintenance or incidents
• Fire suppression systems
• Security and surveillance
• Emergency escape route
$1.4B - $2.6B* Construction and ROW cost
$1.5B - $3.3B*
75-year lifecycle costs
55-105 properties impacted
No impacts to boat launch
Includes pedestrian and bike accommodations
Option dropped due to environmental impacts, number of property acquisitions and relocations, bike and pedestrian challenges, and extreme construction/lifecycle costs.
Tunnel Types
Immersed Tube Tunnel
Deep Bored Tunnel
Tunnel Elements
Entry and Exit Points (Portals)
Drainage Pump Station
Ventilation Building
Significant
Environmental Impacts
Risks: Drainage and flooding, fire and life safety, hazardous materials
Significant impacts to traffic during construction
Control Room
Tunnels Option Considered Non-Feasible...
Potential Alignments
Option dropped due to environmental impacts, number of property acquisitions and relocations, bike and pedestrian challenges, and extreme construction/lifecycle costs.
Arletta Tunnel Route
Environmental Impact 128 Acres
Cromwell
Tunnel Route
Property Impacts 85-95 Parcels
Option dropped due to environmental impacts, number of property acquisitions and relocations, bike and pedestrian challenges, and extreme construction/lifecycle costs.
Environmental Impact
178 Acres Property Impacts
90-105 Parcels
Tunnel Route
TUNNEL OPTIONS
Considerations and Impacts
Boat Launch Impacts
Estimated Number of Property Impacts
Traffic Operations
Estimated Environmental Impacts
Traffic Impacts During Construction
Bike & Pedestrian Accommodations
Addresses Sea Level Rise
Marine Vessel Navigation Clearances
Potential Delays Due to Mechanical/Staffing Factors
Potentail Limitations/ Restrictions on Hazardous Materials Transport
Arletta Route Cromwell Route Wollochet Route
Option dropped due to environmental impacts, number of property acquisitions and relocations, bike and pedestrian challenges, and extreme construction/lifecycle costs.
Estimated Cost Summary 2024 Dollars
Building (Ventilation, Lighting, Surveillance, Fire Suppression, etc.)
Ferry Services
Design Considerations
• New ferry terminals, ferry boats, waiting facilities, and parking and loading areas required at both service ends
• Staffing requirements
Quick Facts
• Continuous maintenance
• Impacts to school bus routes and emergency response times
$475M - $1.3B* Construction and ROW cost
$2.6B - $7.1B* 75-year lifecycle costs
13-35 properties impacted
Boat launch is less accessible for non-island residents
Includes bike and pedestrian accommodations
Option dropped due to number of property acquisitions and relocations, extreme construction and lifecycle costs, and unacceptable travel time to/from island.
Potential Routes
Fox Island Landing
Ferry service frequency:
Every 30-100 minutes depending on route
Ferry capacity:
50-200 cars depending on route
Travel delay to/from island: 30-120 minutes depending on route
Ferry Route Landings
Point Fosdick to Fox Island Landing 50 Car Ferry
Property Impacts: 13-20 Parcels
Environmental Impacts: 12 Acres
Steilacoom to Fox Island Landing 200 Car Ferry
Property Impacts: 25-35 Parcels
Environmental Impacts: 23 Acres
Point Defiance to Fox Island Landing 200 Car Ferry
Property Impacts: 12-15 Parcels
Environmental Impacts: 21 Acres
FERRY SERVICES
Considerations and Impacts
Impacts
Estimated Cost Summary 2024 Dollars
Feasible Options to
No Build: Bridge Replacement Deferral
Years 0-20
Existing bridge with repairs, inspections, and maintenance:
0 Property Impacts
Quick Facts
$209M - $217M* Construction and ROW cost
$48M - $58M* 75-year lifecycle costs
Assumed 2000 ft. Long Bridge
Replacement Option: Years 21-75
5-10 Property Impacts
Moderate environmental impacts
Would not accommodate sea level rise for 20 years
No new bike and pedestrian accommodations for 20 years
Option will be carried forward as a baseline option for comparison purposes, even though purpose and need are not satisfied for 20 years.
No-Build
Considerations
Assumes only inspections, repairs, and maintenance for 20 years.
In 20 years, repairs and maintenance will likely no longer be feasible to keep the bridge in service, so a bridge replacement will be necessary.
For this option, it is assumed the 2000 ft. long bridge replacement option is built after 20 years.
Potential Bridge Alginments
(After 20 Years)
Risks:
Seismically vulnerable for the next 20 years
Frequent traffic impacts for the next 20 years during maintenance and more during replacement bridge construction.
Potential Bridge Cross Section
(Looking North)
Feasible Options to Consider...
NO BUILD: BRIDGE REPLACEMENT DEFERRAL
Considerations and Impacts
will be carried forward as a baseline option for comparison purposes, even though purpose and need are not satisfied for 20 years.
Estimated Cost Summary
2000 ft. Long Bridge Replacements
Feasible Options to Consider... East West
Quick Facts
$209M - $217M*
Construction and ROW cost
5-10 properties impacted
$30M - $38M* 75-year lifecycle costs
West alignment: Likely impacts to the boat launch
East alignment: Potential for enhanced boat launch parking area.
Moderate environmental impacts
Island causeway modifications required (width and height)
Potential Bridge Cross Section
(Looking North)
Moderate impacts to traffic during construction
Feasible Options to Consider...
3000 ft. Long Bridge Replacement
Quick Facts
*2024 Dollars
$254M - $257M*
5-10 properties impacted
Construction and ROW cost
$45M - $56M*
75-year lifecycle costs
Moderate environmental impacts
Avoids impacts to the boat launch: Potential for enhanced parking area
Minimal impacts to traffic during construction
Potential Bridge Cross Section (Looking North)
Feasible Options to Consider...
2000 AND 3000 FT. LONG BRIDGE REPLACEMENTS
Considerations and Impacts
Comparing the Options We Studied
Estimated Properties Impacted 5 - 10
Estimated Right-of-Way Costs* $9M - $12M $0M - $7M
Estimated Construction Costs*
Estimated 75-Yr Lifecycle Costs*
Acceptable Operations
Seismic Resiliency
Sea Level Rise Resiliency
Construction Impacts to Traffic
Marine Vessel Passage
Boat Launch Impacts
Other Risk Factors
/Potentially
Comparing Feasible Options
No-Build: Bridge Replacement Deferral
Satisfies Purpose and Need No / Yes
Estimated Properties Impacted 5 - 10
Estimated Right-of-Way Costs* $9M - $12M
Estimated Construction Costs* $200M - $205M
Estimated 75-Yr Lifecycle Costs* $48M - $58M
Estimated Total Project Cost* $257M - $315M
Bike/Pedestrian Accommodations Same as existing / Yes
Seismic Resiliency No / Yes
Sea Level Rise Resiliency No / Yes
Construction Impacts to Traffic Frequent/Moderate
Environmental Impacts Moderate
Boat Launch Impacts Potentially
Other Risk Factors Seismically Vulnerable (Years 0-20)
Estimated Timeline
Finalize TS&L 2025
Advance design, begin environmental permitting, and pursue funding 2026 - 2027
During the environmental analysis, and starting as early as 2026, the community, resource agencies and tribes will be asked to review and provide feedback to help inform the project’s preferred alternative to move forward.
Some of the environmental impacts to be evaluated include:
• Cultural & historic resource impacts
• Natural resources (near shore and intertidal marine habitat) impacts
• Fish & marine wildlife impacts
• Public use of the boat launch on Bureau of Land Management property impacts
• Marine vessel navigation impacts
• Noise impacts
• Tribal Treaty Right impacts
• Utility Impacts
• Public Service impacts
• Water Quality/Stormwater impacts
• Socioeconomic & land use impacts
• Air Quality Impact
• Visual/Aesthetic impacts
Dates for community feedback are to be determined.
Next Steps
Property appraisals, acquisitions, and relocations. 2028 - 2029
Construction, dependent on environmental permitting, funding, and ROW. 2030 - 2031
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