Restoring access to this part of Mount Rainier could cost up to $785 million
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- WSDOT proposed 7 project options to restore access to Mount Rainier via SR 165.
- Cost estimates range from $35 million to $785 million, with no funding secured.
- Public input on bridge options accepted online through June 17, 2025.
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Fairfax Bridge Closure
The 103-year-old bridge is closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic after structural issues were found, cutting off a popular access to Mount Rainier National Park.
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It has been over a month since the Washington State Department of Transportation permanently closed the state Route 165 Carbon River Fairfax Bridge — and now it wants to hear the public’s thoughts on how to move forward.
The 103-year-old, single-lane bridge was the only way for the public to access key areas of Mount Rainier National Park, such as Tolmie Peak, Mowich Lake and Spray Park, from state Route 165. WSDOT closed the bridge on April 22 due to safety risks.
What alternatives exist now?
In an online open house for the public, WSDOT has identified seven potential projects. Each project has different cost estimates and time frames. The options are to:
- Maintain the permanent bridge closure.
- Replace the bridge at its current location.
- Replace the bridge north of its current location.
- Replace the bridge south of its current location.
- Realign state Route 165 and place a new bridge near Carbonado.
- Realign state Route 165 to connect with state Route 162 near Crocker.
- Realign state Route 165 east of Wilkeson and Carbonado.
WSDOT does not currently have funding for any of the options; all of the agency’s estimated time frames would start from whenever officials are able to identify funding.
Bridge replacements in the same vicinity
The first option would simply remove the existing bridge and not build a new one, according to the open house.
“The existing bridge would remain closed to all users with a dead end in Carbonado,” WSDOT wrote. “With this no-build option, the bridge would be removed. This work would take about three years to complete once funding is received.”
It would cost between $35 million and $50 million to remove the current bridge, WSDOT estimates.
The second option would remove the existing bridge and build a new one in its place. WSDOT estimates that it would take six years to remove the current bridge and do design, permitting and construction for a new one. This would cost between $80 million and $130 million.
WSDOT’s third option would build a new 650-foot bridge north of its current location and realign half a mile of state Route 165.
“This alternative would take about six years from receiving funding and would include removal of the bridge, design, right-of-way, permitting, and construction,” WSDOT wrote.
The cost would be between $60 million and $100 million.
WSDOT’s fourth option would build a new 650-foot bridge south of its current location and “would require a minor realignment” of state Route 165. This project would take six years and cost between $60 million and $100 million.
Rerouting state Route 165
The fifth option would reroute state Route 165 to the south of Carbonado, starting by Wilkeson-Carbonado Road.
“A new bridge would be built spanning the Carbon River south of Carbonado,” WSDOT wrote. “West of the Carbon River, the new alignment would follow Lilly Creek and reconnect to the existing SR 165 alignment near Lilly Creek Road East.”
This option would take about five years and cost between $465 million and $785 million.
WSDOT’s sixth option would realign state Route 165 and connect it to state Route 162 near Crocker. This option would not require building a new bridge over the Carbon River.
“The new alignment would follow Lilly Creek and connect to the existing SR 165 alignment near Lilly Creek Road East,” WSDOT wrote.
This would take about seven years and cost between $440 million and $735 million.
The seventh and final alternative would realign state Route 165 east of Wilkeson and Carbonado.
“It would reconnect to the existing SR 165 south of the current Fairfax Bridge,” WSDOT wrote. “It would upgrade 12 miles of road to highway standards and include a new or upgraded Kolisch Road bridge over the Carbon River.”
Two new bridges would be required on Kolisch Road and Wilkeson Creek, WSDOT said.
This would take about six years and cost between $375 million and $610 million.
How can residents make their thoughts heard?
WSDOT is running its online open house until June 17. Residents can submit their feedback online until then at engage.wsdot.wa.gov/sr-165-fairfax-bridge.
There is also an in-person open house on June 11 at Wilkeson Elementary School from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
“These are drop-in style events; you are welcome to come and go at your convenience,” WSDOT wrote. “The content of the in-person open houses will be the same as this online format, but you will also be able to speak with the project team and ask questions.”
The open house is part of WSDOT’s $1.5 million planning study about the future of the bridge.
This story was originally published June 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Restoring access to this part of Mount Rainier could cost up to $785 million."
