Washington Declares Emergency Over Semi-Truck Damage to White River Bridge, Repairs Expected Over $2M

Washington Governor Bob Ferguson declared a state of emergency in King and Pierce counties following a severe semi-truck crash on August 18 that damaged the White River Bridge, a critical infrastructure lifeline for local communities. The 1949 steel truss bridge sustained significant structural damage across all seven panels, including horizontal and vertical components, leading to its closure and a detour that adds approximately 38 miles or up to 45 minutes to travel times. Engineers and WSDOT crews have conducted detailed assessments and are currently fabricating materials for temporary repairs, although the full scope of repair work and reopening timelines are still being evaluated. The estimated cost for repairs may exceed $2 million, and the emergency declaration allows Washington to seek federal funding to cover these costs and protect state resources. Governor Ferguson emphasized the urgency of reopening the bridge due to its importance to the affected communities, while King County Executive Shannon Braddock also issued a proclamation to expedite contracting processes for repairs. State agencies are being directed to take all reasonable measures to recover from the incident promptly.