Upper Tokul Creek Bridge No. 271B Replacement Project
Latest updates
November 19, 2018
King County Road Services hosted a community open house at the Snoqualmie Fire Department on Tuesday, November 19. Project staff showcased and discussed conceptual design alternatives for the project. The public comment period to help select the bridge design option begins on November 19 and ends on December 3, 2019.
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.
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.
Help us select the preferred alternative for your new bridge
The public comment period to help select the design of the new bridge started on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 and ended on Tuesday, December 3, 2019.
Find images of the bridge alternative options below:
You can submit your bridge alternative preference and comments to Broch.Bender@kingcounty.gov . The preferred alternative will be selected in early 2020. We will then move into the final design phase of the selected alternative.
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• Project fact sheet PDF 2MBContact us
Broch Bender, Communications Program ManagerDesk 206-263-1189
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OVERVIEW
Shifts new bridge 32 feet west of its current location to maintain two-lane traffic during construction. Construction lasts approximately 8 months.
ADVANTAGES
- Improves visibility approaching the bridge from the south
- Maintains two lanes of traffic across existing bridge during construction*
- Constructs new bridge and demolishes existing bridge in two stages lasting approximately eight months, four months less than other alternatives
DISADVANTAGES
- Improves visibility approaching the bridge from the south
- Maintains two lanes of traffic across existing bridge during construction*
- Constructs new bridge and demolishes existing bridge in two stages lasting approximately eight months, four months less than other alternatives
*A feasibility study is needed to determine if construction trucks and equipment will be able to comply with weight restrictions on the current bridge. If they do not comply, the project will need to build a temporary bridge.
OVERVIEW
Shifts new bridge 10 feet west of its current location to minimize impact to existing driveways but still maintain one-lane traffic during construction. Construction lasts approximately 12 months.
ADVANTAGES
- Improves visibility approaching the bridge from the south
- Does not require a temporary bridge*
- Requires less property acquisition than Alternative A but more property acquisition than Alternative C
DISADVANTAGES
- Constructs the new bridge in five stages
- Reduces traffic to single-lane access during construction controlled by temporary traffic signal
- Requires some vegetation removal and regrading work on existing private property
- Approximately 45 medium-to-large trees would be removed from the site, fewer trees than Alternative A, but more trees than Alternative C
*A feasibility study is needed to determine if construction trucks and equipment will be able to comply with weight restrictions on the current bridge. If they do not comply, the project will need to build a temporary bridge.
OVERVIEW
Removes existing bridge and places the new bridge in its place to maintain existing roadway alignment. One-lane of traffic will be maintained during construction by using a temporary detour bridge. Construction lasts approximately 12 months.
ADVANTAGES
- Improves visibility approaching the bridge from the south
- Traffic shifts to a temporary, single-lane bridge with no weight restrictions during construction
- Requires least property acquisition of all three alternatives
- Requires minimal vegetation removal and regrading work on adjacent property
- Approximately 40 medium-to-large trees would be removed from the site, fewer trees than the other two alternatives
DISADVANTAGES
- Constructs new bridge in six stages
- Requires construction of a temporary bridge
Frequently-asked questions
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.
