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Nov
30

Upper Tokul Creek Bridge No. 271B Replacement Project

Project completed

Upper Tokul Creek Bridge.

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

Status update

August 2, 2023

Crews will continue to put the finishing touches on the bridge and surrounding area through the beginning of August.

We thank the community for your patience during this project. Enjoy your new bridge!

View construction photos.

Project overview

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 Road SE crosses Tokul Creek.

While safe for travel, the 57-year-old bridge is aging and requires frequent repairs. In addition, the current bridge is too narrow and has weight limit restrictions.

We will replace the old bridge with a new bridge that is 28 feet wide, have two 10-foot-wide travel lanes and two 4-foot wide shoulders. The bridge will be built primarily out of steel-reinforced concrete and built to current seismic standards. The new bridge will have no weight restrictions.

The bridge will remain open during construction.

All vehicles will be diverted to a temporary one lane bridge located next to the active construction area. The temporary bridge will have no weight restrictions.

 

Project map

24/7 Road Helpline

24/7 Road Helpline

Call us for help at 206-477-8100 or 1-800-527-6237 with road maintenance and traffic safety issues in unincorporated King County — 24 hours a day

Project schedule

Construction to replace the bridge begins in September 2022. The estimated total project cost is $5.9 million.

Schedule for the Upper Tokul Creek Bridge project.

Schedule for the Upper Tokul Creek Bridge project >> View larger Image JPG 103KB

Tokul Creek during construction

Construction stages

View larger image JPG 324KB


Stage 1: Construct temporary bridge

Stage 2: Shift traffic to temporary bridge and demolish existing bridge

Stage 3: Construct new bridge

Stage 4: Shift traffic to new bridge and demolish temporary bridge

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 remove the temporary bridge and continue with low impact restoration work including plantings and site clean-up.

Frequently asked questions

The County has determined the 57-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 28 feet wide, with two 10-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 11 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 10 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 remove the temporary bridge and continue with 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.

There will be no weight restrictions on the temporary detour bridge.

The bridge replacement project will remove, transport, and dispose of the existing creosote-treated timber at an approved disposal facility where possible.
The 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

Photos

The new span of bridge across Tokul Creek.

July 20, 2023 – The new span stretches across Tokul Creek. Crews will return to add permanent striping down the center of the bridge in August 2023.


Crews work to complete the new bridge deck scheduled to open to traffic in early June 2023.

May 15, 2023 – Crews work to complete the new bridge deck scheduled to open to traffic in early June 2023.


March 1, 2023 – Crews put down reinforcing rebar before the concrete is poured for the new bridge deck. All traffic will continue to use the temporary bridge on the left for the duration of the project.

March 16, 2023 – A crewmember smooths the freshly poured concrete on the new bridge deck.


Crews put down reinforcing rebar before the concrete is poured for the new bridge deck.

March 1, 2023 – Crews put down reinforcing rebar before the concrete is poured for the new bridge deck. All traffic will continue to use the temporary bridge on the left for the duration of the project.


Crews use two large cranes to hoist the second of five massive girders for the new bridge.

Feb. 7, 2023 – Crews use two large cranes to hoist the second of five massive girders for the new bridge.


Feb. 7, 2023 – It takes multiple crewmembers on each side of the new span to perfectly align the new bridge girders.

Feb. 7, 2023 – It takes multiple crewmembers on each side of the new span to perfectly align the new bridge girders.


Dec. 5, 2022 – Crews will remove the final three concrete footings to complete the old bridge demolition in December 2022.

Dec. 5, 2022 – Crews will remove the final three concrete footings to complete the old bridge demolition in December 2022.


Nov. 21, 2022 – An excavator clears the footing debris from the old bridge.

Nov. 21, 2022 – An excavator clears the footing debris from the old bridge.


Nov. 14, 2022 – Contract crew members work to remove the footings of the old bridge with the help of an excavator.

Nov. 14, 2022 – Contract crew members work to remove the footings of the old bridge with the help of an excavator.


Nov. 8, 2022 – Two excavators tear down the old bridge during demolition.

Nov. 8, 2022 – Two excavators tear down the old bridge during demolition.


Nov. 7, 2022 – Our contractor crew demolishes the old bridge before they build the new permanent bridge. All traffic will use the temporary bridge (shown here on the right) during construction.

Nov. 7, 2022 – Our contractor crew demolishes the old bridge before they build the new permanent bridge. All traffic will use the temporary bridge (shown here on the right) during construction.


Oct. 25, 2022 – Traffic shifts to the temporary bridge.

Oct. 25, 2022 – Traffic shifts to the temporary bridge.


Oct. 21, 2022 – Our contractor finishes the temporary bridge on the left before the old Upper Tokul bridge on the right is removed. Photo credit to community member, Mike Smyth.

Oct. 21, 2022 – Our contractor finishes the temporary bridge on the left before the old Upper Tokul bridge on the right is removed. Photo credit to community member, Mike Smyth.


Oct. 20, 2022 – The temporary bridge gets paved before traffic switches over in late October.

Oct. 20, 2022 – The temporary bridge gets paved before traffic switches over in late October.


Oct. 10, 2022 – Concrete abutments are placed to provide support for the new temporary bridge.

Oct. 10, 2022 – Concrete abutments are placed to provide support for the new temporary bridge.


Oct. 10, 2022 – A large truck sprays water to damp down dust clouds.

Oct. 10, 2022 – A large truck sprays water to damp down dust clouds.


Oct. 4, 2022 – Two crewmembers compact soil in preparation for the concrete abutments for the temporary bridge

Oct. 4, 2022 – Two crewmembers compact soil in preparation for the concrete abutments for the temporary bridge

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