Bridge swap to cause delays on SR 162 by Orting

Washington state drivers who use State Route 162 close to Orting should expect delays on their routes, as a wider bridge is being built over the Puyallup River.

This weekend, one alternating lane will contain all traffic and will have decreased speed. This will be done until the new bridge is fully constructed.

The construction crews will temporarily decrease the area’s speed limit from 50 to 35 miles per hour. This will be set in place from milepost 6.6 to milepost 7.15, nearby the McMillin Bridge. This decrease will be enforced once the signs are completely installed. By Sept. 25, or as early as the roadway construction is finished, the speed limit will return to normal.

There will be delays of up to 30 minutes beginning at 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, to 4 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 21. The delays will be in place until crews can link the highway to the new bridge, and there will be flaggers in place to control the traffic for the alternating lane.

Throughout these same hours, the Foothills Trailhead parking lot will be closed to the public. The trail will still be open for bicyclists and pedestrians. Local traffic will have ease of access to their own property while the road is closed.