Skip to main content
King County logo
  1. Road Services
  2. Upper Tokul Creek Bridge No. 271B Replacement Project

Upper Tokul Creek Bridge No. 271B Replacement Project

Photo: Upper Tokul Creek Bridge.
Upper Tokul Creek Bridge No. 271B over Tokul Creek, less than two miles north of Snoqualmie Falls.

Latest updates

April 1, 2021

King County has begun the SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) process to identify and analyze the environmental impacts associated with the Upper Tokul Creek Bridge Replacement Project. View the SEPA documents. The SEPA public comment period opens on April 15, 2021 and closes on April 29, 2021. You can submit your comments to bbender@kingcounty.gov . Please call 206-263-1189 if you would like to request the SEPA documents in a different format, or if you need an accommodation to submit your comments.

Project overview

The Upper Tokul Creek Bridge No. 271B provides sole access to approximately 50 single-family homes and is also used by nearby forest and mining industry vehicles. The bridge is located less than two miles north of Snoqualmie Falls where Tokul Creek Road SE crosses Tokul Creek.

While safe for travel, the 54-year-old bridge is aging and requires frequent repairs. In addition, the current bridge is too narrow and has weight limit restrictions. This project will replace the deteriorated bridge with one that will serve the community’s needs long term.

Project goals

  • Design a bridge that meets current standards and minimizes impact to neighboring property and the natural environment.
  • Maintain convenient access to community members.
  • Properly handle and dispose of contaminated materials.
  • Select the new bridge alternative by utilizing various evaluation criteria, which includes community feedback.

Project schedule

King County is in the process of selecting a preferred alternative for a replacement bridge, with construction projected to begin in 2022. The preliminary estimated total project cost is $5.9 million.

Schedule for the Upper Tokul Creek Bridge project.
Enlarged view of schedule   JPG 268KB

Bridge access for residents and emergency vehicles will be maintained throughout construction. Construction activities will include demolition, concrete pouring, and crane lifts. After the new bridge is opened to traffic, crews will continue low impact restoration work including plantings and site clean-up.

On this page

Public outreach materials

• Preferred Alternative C flyer PDF 522KB
• Project fact sheet November 2019 PDF 2MB

Contact us

Broch Bender, Communications Manager
Desk 206-263-1189
Email

Map

Map: Upper Tokul Creek Bridge project location.
Enlarged view of map   JPG 263KB

Stay connected

Sign up for alerts
Sign up for Road Alerts

Follow us on Twitter

Look at Twitter.
Roads on Twitter

Find us on Facebook

Facebook.
Local Services on Facebook

Preferred design alternative

Upper Tokul Creek Bridge Alternative C. Image contains a map showing the proposed new roadway and bridge location, map legend, and graphics of the different construction stages.

OVERVIEW

Removes existing bridge and places the new bridge in its place to maintain existing roadway alignment. One-lane traffic will be maintained during construction by using a temporary detour bridge. Construction lasts approximately 12 months.

ADVANTAGES

  • Maintains existing bridge/roadway alignment and improves road grades to meet current King County Standards
  • Maintains two-lane traffic on existing bridge during construction of temporary bridge
  • No weight restrictions on temporary bridge
  • Requires least property acquisition and no permanent right-of-way acquisitions
  • Has shortest construction duration and minimal vegetation removal and regrading work on adjacent property
  • Requires four construction stages to complete the project

DISADVANTAGES

  • Requires public use of temporary bridge with one lane access during new bridge construction
  • Requires removal of approximately 30 trees, which will be replanted as part of restoration work
  • Requires temporary construction easement to construct the temporary bridge
  • Has highest cost of the three alternatives

Frequently-asked questions

The County has determined the 54-year-old bridge has outlived its useful life and is at risk of being closed due to age and condition. The aging timber support structure is decaying, which requires frequent and major repairs. These repairs are costly over time and inconvenience bridge users. In addition, the current bridge is too narrow, does not have shoulders and cannot accommodate very heavy trucks that are standard today.
Yes. The existing bridge is safe for use by vehicles that comply with posted weight and size restrictions. The Road Services Bridge Inspection team inspects the bridge every two years to ensure it is safe to use. If repairs are needed, the inspection team works with County maintenance staff to perform the necessary repairs.
The bridge provides sole access to approximately 50 single-family homes as well as industry vehicles accessing nearby forest service and mining areas. Approximately 417 cars and 40 large haul trucks use the bridge each day.
The bridge will be 34 feet wide, with two 11-foot wide travel lanes and two 4-foot wide shoulders. The new bridge is expected to be constructed primarily out of steel reinforced concrete and built to current seismic standards. Steel reinforced concrete is commonly used for bridges of this size and type, as it is economical and durable. The new bridge will have no weight restrictions.
Yes. A temporary bridge will carry traffic over Tokul Creek for about 14 months while the new bridge is built in the current location.
Access will be maintained throughout construction via a temporary bridge built just to the west of the existing bridge.
Construction is anticipated to last approximately 14 months. During this time, heavy equipment will be on site and construction activities will include demolition, concrete pouring, and crane lifts. After the new bridge is opened to traffic, crews will continue low impact restoration work including plantings and site clean-up.
No. The new bridge will be designed to meet current bridge safety specifications and standards.
Yes, there are. The current weight limits for single unit vehicles are:

3 Axles or less – 23 tons
4 Axles – 21 tons
5 Axles – 22 tons
6 Axles – 23 tons
7 Axles – 24 tons

The Road Services Division regularly inspects the bridges it is responsible for maintaining. If new restrictions are required based on these inspections, a notice will be posted on the bridge. We will also note any new restrictions on the Bridge Weight Restrictions website.
The bridge replacement project will remove, transport, and dispose of the existing creosote-treated timber at an approved disposal facility where possible.
The preliminary estimated total project budget is $5.9 million. This includes engineering studies and design, environmental documentation and permitting, right-of-way acquisition if necessary, construction, inspection and project closeout. The project is funded through King County’s Capital Improvement Program.

Project documents

Road Services Division

201 S Jackson Street
M/S: KSC-LS-0313
Seattle, WA 98104

Contact us

Email: Maint.roads@kingcounty.gov

24/7 Road Helpline: 206-477-8100 or 1-800-527-6237

TTY Relay: 711

Twitter: @KCRoads