There was a lot of news about the White River Bridge this week.

Maybe most importantly is that the Washington State Department of Transportation finally gave local commuters an answer as to when the bridge could open after it was extensively damaged on Aug. 18, necessitating an emergency closure.

The hoped-for date is late September.

“WSDOT will fabricate and install five temporary braces on the bridge along the panels of the structure. These braces work similar to a splint or cast for a broken bone,” the department said in a press release. “The brace works alongside the damaged section, so the load doesn’t rest on the weakened component alone. WSDOT plans to install each brace as it is fabricated.”

But this is a temporary fix, and the bridge will be down to one lane only, alternating traffic with temporary traffic signals on each end. This is similar to how people are currently crossing the Green River Bridge between Enumclaw and Buckley.

“Because of the extensive damage, the bridge cannot safely reopen to two lanes of traffic until permanent repairs are made,” the department continued. “WSDOT bridge engineers are developing that long-term repair plan now, and details about the schedule and construction will be shared once they are finalized.”

KING COUNTY METRO STEPS IN

A lot of people have been utilizing the Foothills Trail to cross over the White River on bikes — both manual and electric — plus electric scooters, electric skateboards, and good ol’-fashioned foot power.

Many have rides that are parked along nearby roads on both ends of the bridge to pick up and drop off commuters, but for those who have had to hoof it all the way from the bridge to Enumclaw, there may be a better option now — Route 915.

King County Metro announced Aug. 28 that the line that goes between Enumclaw and Auburn will now make two additional stops: SE Mud Mountain Rd. near the bridge, and Enumclaw Middle School, where there is free (and copious) parking.

“Across King County, we’re doing everything we can to support the many people impacted by the closure of the White River Bridge,” said Executive Shannon Braddock in a press release. “This extended service between Enumclaw Middle School and the pedestrian-only Foothills Trail Bridge will be a useful link to appointments, family, friends, school, and stores.”

As of today, Sept. 3, the bus is only sporadically stopping near the bridge and school.

However, the bus route will be fully integrated into Route 915’s schedule on Sept. 4 and beyond.

You can find a schedule for Route 915’s stops in Enumclaw at the end of this article, or on the King County Metro Blog, “Metro Matters.”

“I want to give my sincere thanks to Executive Braddock and everyone at King County Metro for working with my office and providing this desperately needed assistance to our community,” King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, who represents Enumclaw on the council, said in a press release. “I will continue to collaborate with county, state and local leaders to find creative solutions and provide relief to affected residents. We must use every tool at our disposal during this trying time.”

Unfortunately for Buckley-ites and commuters to that area, Pierce Transit has no similar plans for a shuttle service at this time, in part because the city is not a part of its current service area.

“Pierce Transit has not yet received an official request to provide service on the Buckley side of the bridge, but we understand a request may be coming,” Pierce Transit Communications Director Rabecca Japhet said in an email. “Right now, the agency is proactively looking at our resources and what it would take to provide this assistance.”

By the time this edition comes out, fares for adults will be $3, and can be paid with cash, ORCA card, or by Transit GO Ticket app. Kinds 19 and under ride for free.

There are reduced fares for people with disabilities, lower-income individuals and families, and seniors if they enroll at reducedfare.kingcounty.gov/en-US/.

EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION

King County Executive Braddock proclaimed the White River Bridge an emergency situation on Aug. 23, allowing the county to forego the usual public advertising and competitive procurement requirements for contracts, possibly speeding up planning and construction timelines.

This was followed by Gov. Bob Ferguson on Aug. 27.

Ferguson’s proclamation allows the state to seek federal funds to reimburse the work currently underway to repair the bridge, and work into the future.

“The White River Bridge is a critical lifeline to these communities, and we are doing all we can to get it reopened as quickly as possible,” Ferguson said in a press release. “The work is happening right now, and this declaration will ensure we can seek federal reimbursement to protect state dollars.”

ROUTE 915 SCHEDULE

Note that this schedule is for Sept. 4 into the foreseeable future, and not Sept. 3, which has a different schedule.

Departing Departing Departing

Enumclaw Foothills Trail Enumclaw

Middle School Bridge for Middle School

southbound for Enumclaw northbound

Foothills Trail

Bridge

4:28 a.m. 4:32 a.m. 4:37 a.m.

5:16 a.m. 5:20 a.m. 5:25 a.m.

5:55 a.m. 5:59 a.m. 6:04 a.m.

6:15 a.m. 6:19 a.m. 6:24 a.m.

6:53 a.m. 6:57 a.m. 7:02 a.m.

8:14 a.m. 8:18 a.m. 8:23 a.m.

9:11 a.m. 9:15 a.m. 9:20 a.m.

10:09 a.m. 10:13 a.m. 10:18 a.m.

11:11 a.m. 11:15 a.m. 11:20 a.m.

12:11 p.m. 12:15 p.m. 12:20 p.m.

1:11 p.m. 1:15 p.m. 1:20 p.m.

2:11 p.m. 2:15 p.m. 2:20 p.m.

3:11 p.m. 3:15 p.m. 3:20 p.m.

4:11 p.m. 4:15 p.m. 4:20 p.m.

5:02 p.m. 5:06 p.m. 5:11 p.m.

5:35 p.m. 5:39 p.m. 5:44 p.m.

6:11 p.m. 6:15 p.m. 6:20 p.m.

6:34 p.m. 6:38 p.m. 6:43 p.m.

7:01 p.m. 7:05 p.m. 7:10 p.m.