City of Tacoma Awarded $7.6 Million BUILD Grant for Environmental Analysis and Final Design Phase of Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge Replacement Project

~ The City of Tacoma has received a significant boost in its efforts to replace the Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge, thanks to a $7.6 million BUILD grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The grant will support the environmental analysis and final design of the project, which is estimated to cost a total of $9.6 million.

Mayor Anders Ibsen expressed his gratitude for the grant, stating that "a competitive economy depends on reliable infrastructure." He also acknowledged the importance of this project in reconnecting key areas such as the Port of Tacoma, the Puyallup Tribe, and local businesses. The mayor also thanked Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, as well as Representatives Emily Randall and Marilyn Strickland for their leadership in making this project a federal priority.

The Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge was originally built in 1927 but was closed for traffic in October 2023 due to safety concerns. Its closure has had a significant impact on local commutes and access to resources for the Puyallup Tribe, as well as causing inconvenience for up to 15,000 vehicles that use the route daily.

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The replacement bridge is expected to eliminate a two-mile vehicle detour and up to 45-minute pedestrian detour between Tacoma and Fife. It will be a new multimodal structure with features such as a separated 15-foot shared use path, sidewalk protection, an extra travel lane, and a transportation system designed for heavy freight.

In addition to addressing congestion and vehicle emissions, the new bridge will also incorporate environmental protections into its design. This includes replacing deteriorating wooden piles with more durable concrete ones to better withstand seismic and flooding events. Modern bioswales will also be installed to clean stormwater runoff and prevent pollutants from entering the Puyallup River and harming Coho Salmon habitats.

The replacement bridge is crucial not only for local communities but also for national and military supply chains as it directly connects to the Port of Tacoma, the third busiest container gateway in the nation, and a designated commercial strategic seaport supporting Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The environmental analysis and design phase is expected to begin in December 2026 and be completed by December 2027. After this phase, the City will seek funding for construction, which is estimated to cost at least $263 million.

This project is a testament to the City of Tacoma's commitment to improving its infrastructure and ensuring its competitiveness in the region. With the support of federal funding and local partnerships, the Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge replacement project is one step closer to becoming a reality.

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