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MONDAY, MAY 5, 2014
Vol. CXXIII, No. 86
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE CITY OF TACOMA Devoted to the Courts, Real Estate, Finance, Industrial Activities, and Publication of Legal Notices
Published Published Since Since 1890 1890
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Tacoma to further restrict weight limits on Puyallup River Bridge Posted online Weds., April 30 File Photo By Todd Matthews, Editor Engineers inspecting the 87-year-old Puyallup River Bridge, which links Portland Avenue in Tacoma to Pacific Highway in Fife, have recommended further reducing maximum vehicle weight restrictions, City of Tacoma officials announced Wednesday. "It's unfortunate, but not unexpected," said Tacoma Public Works Director Kurtis Kingsolver. "It is an old bridge and we've been working to raise the funds for its replacement for some time." Bridge joint damage discovered by inspectors earlier this year means weight restrictions will fall from 18 tons down to 10 tons. The move will also have the following impacts: -- City of Tacoma staff estimate the bridge carries 400 trucks per day. Current load restrictions allow most empty semi-trucks to use the bridge, but the 10ton limit will end this use. Smaller trucks such as service vehicles (about the size of a UPS truck) will still be able to use the bridge; -- Passenger vehicles are below the 10-ton limit and will still be allowed to use the bridge; -- Buses will not be allowed on the bridge. The bridge currently serves two Pierce Transit routes; -- Fire trucks will not be allowed on the bridge. This bridge is not a primary route for Station 12 in Fife or the supplementary stations that assist Station 12, but
New clothing retailer to open on UW Tacoma campus Posted online Tues., April 29 Spaceworks Tacoma officials announced Tuesday a new retailer will open its doors on the University of Washington Tacoma campus in downtown Tacoma this summer. Do The Extraordinary, a partnership between Justin Kercher and former Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander, will offer "urban sportswear and accessories" that includes handmade jewelry and clothing. The store will open in June at 1936 Pacific Ave., in the former Cutters Point Coffee location, and next door to Bleach and Urban Xchange, according to Spaceworks Tacoma officials. More information is available online at dotheextraordinary.com. Spaceworks Tacoma is a joint initiative of the City of Tacoma and the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber designed to activate empty storefronts and vacant space. -- Photo Courtesy Spaceworks Tacoma
any fire truck over 10 tons would not be able to use this bridge; -- Using the higher weight limit set by bridge inspectors would still prohibit buses and loaded semitrucks. Although there won't be any physical barriers to prevent a loaded truck from using this bridge, City staff hope the 10-ton limit will provide the best message to truckers to not use this bridge. Additionaly, Tacoma Road Use Compliance Officers will monitor the bridge for a period of time after the restrictions are in place. Initial enforcement will consist of warnings and education regarding this new restriction. The City last reduced load limits on the bridge in 2009. The City has nearly $40 million in funding to begin
a project to replace two of the bridge sections, and has applied for additional grants to continue work on four remaining sections in the future, according to Kingsolver. The remaining sections could cost an approximate additional $100 to $110 million. "The financial cost of replacing bridge infrastructure is a challenge to jurisdictions across the nation," said Kingsolver. He noted the signs and notices will be posted soon to notify the public of the change, which is scheduled to take place on Weds., May 7. "It's a precaution. We make these decisions in the best interest of the public and their safety." Weight restriction won't be lifted until the entire bridge, which was built in 1927, is replaced. To read the Tacoma Daily Index's complete and comprehensive coverage of the Puyallup River Bridge replacement project, visit our Web site for the following articles: -- City Council OKs accepting 16 grants, $31M for 12 Tacoma road projects (Tacoma Daily Index, May 16, 2013); -- 16 grants net $31M for Tacoma infrastructure projects (Tacoma Daily Index, April 30, 2013); -- Fife backs Tacoma's Puyallup River Bridge project (Tacoma Daily Index, Mar. 27, 2012); -- Port of Tacoma commission approves funding to help replace Puyallup River Bridge (Tacoma Daily Index, Mar. 16, 2012); -- Port of Tacoma could direct $500K toward City's Puyallup River Bridge project (Tacoma Daily Index, Mar. 14, 2012); -- City Council OKs more funding for Puyallup River Bridge design (Tacoma Daily Index, Jan. 20, 2012); -- More funding needed for Puyallup River Bridge design (Tacoma Daily Index, Jan. 13, 2012); -- More money needed for $32.5M Puyallup River Bridge replacement (Tacoma Daily Index, April 27, 2011); -- Load limits will soon be enforced on Puyallup River Bridge (Tacoma Daily Index, Oct. 13, 2009); -- Pierce County leaders recommend road/transit projects (Tacoma Daily Index, March 25, 2009); -- Partnership sought for Puyallup River Bridge replacement (Tacoma Daily Index, Nov. 6, 2008).