Mount Rainier’s 103-Year-Old Bridge Blocks Access to Popular Park Area
The Washington State Department of Transportation has permanently closed the Carbon River/Fairfax Bridge, which was the only way to reach the northwest part of Mount Rainier National Park. The 103-year-old bridge has become unsafe due to severe rust damage to its steel supports.
The bridge had been temporarily closed since April 14, but engineers decided it was too dangerous to ever use again. While steel bridges naturally rust over time, this bridge hasn’t been painted since 1988.
No longer safe to use
“It’s very apparent from the visual changes in the columns that the bridge is no longer safe to use,” Olympic Region Administrator Steve Roark said in a news release, writes SFGATE.
The closure affects access to the Carbon River Ranger Station, Mowich Lake area, and popular hiking trails. This is especially difficult for hikers on the 93-mile Wonderland Trail that circles Mount Rainier.
“I’ve done other thru-hikes where you can camp anywhere within reason at the end of the day”, Kayci Prevost said. “On the Wonderland trail, it’s super regulated by the park. You’ve got to plan where you’re camping each night and secure a reservation at each site. That makes it super competitive — there are so many people competing for the same sites.”
$1.5 million to study options
The transportation department will spend $1.5 million to study options: replace the bridge, build a new route, or keep it closed forever. However, there’s no money available yet for construction. A similar bridge replacement near Olympic National Park cost $42 million last year.
“Closing the bridge was our last option. We fully understand the magnitude of this decision for everyone who relies on this bridge,” Roark said in a statement.
