Correction: New SR 302 Spur bridge opening in Purdy Dec. 2

Final paving, striping work scheduled for completion spring 2024

CORRECTION: The SR 302 Spur is scheduled to reopen on Saturday, Dec. 2, which is now reflected in the news release below.

PURDY – One barrier removed and one to go in an effort to improve fish migration in Purdy Creek. Starting Saturday, Dec. 2, barriers to people who use the State Route 302 Spur will also go away when the new bridge opens to travelers.

Crews closed the spur between Purdy Lane Northwest and 144th Street Northwest in April 2023 to build the new bridge. The bridge replaces an outdated culvert that blocked fish migration in Purdy Creek.

More work to do

Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will return next spring to finish paving and apply permanent pavement markings. During that time, crews will open a new shared-use path for people walking and rolling.

What’s next

Crews will focus on Purdy Lane Northwest, removing the temporary shoulder used during construction. After that, temporary parking restrictions along the shoulder of Purdy Lane Northwest will end. The reduced 25 mph speed limit will also return to 40 and 50 mph on the SR 302 Spur.

SR 16 update

The SR 16 portion of the project reached the halfway point in late summer with the opening of the new westbound bridge. After reconfiguring the median lanes for eastbound travel, crews started working on the new eastbound bridge. The new SR 16 bridges will replace a culvert that is also a barrier to fish in Purdy Creek. Crews expect to complete the project in late 2024.

Travelers can find out about future work in the area by signing up for email updates in Pierce County. Real-time travel information is available on our WSDOT app and real-time travel map.

Slow down – lives are on the line. 

In 2023, speeding continued to be a top reason for work zone crashes.

Even one life lost is too many.

Fatal work zone crashes doubled in 2023 - Washington had 10 fatal work zone crashes on state roads.

It's in EVERYONE’S best interest.

95% of people hurt in work zones are drivers, their passengers or passing pedestrians, not just our road crews.