Project overview
In March 2026, construction was completed to replace lighting along both directions of the State Route 4 Peter Crawford Bridge, improving safety for people who walk, bike, or roll across it after dark. In addition to installing the new lights, crews upgraded the electrical cabinets and wiring that power the bridge’s lighting.
The SR 4 Peter Crawford Bridge spans the Cowlitz River and is an important connection between Kelso and Longview in Cowlitz County.
Project area for lighting improvements on SR 4 Peter Crawford Bridge.
The SR 4 Peter Crawford Bridge was built in 1951. It carries vehicles, freight and people who walk, bike and roll across the Cowlitz River. The last major work on the bridge was cleaning and painting in 1992. The bridge is inspected regularly, and maintenance and repairs are made as needed.
WSDOT surveyed the public last summer to better understand how people use the bridge and what improvements matter most to them. WSDOT received more than 300 responses, with the community identifying poor lighting as the biggest safety concern.
Key findings included:
- Most people use the bridge daily or weekly.
- Most people drive or use transit to cross the bridge.
- The top safety concern is poor lighting, followed by narrow sidewalks and heavy traffic or speeding.
- People said better lighting, wider sidewalks and more crossings or signals near the bridge would improve access and safety.
Funding for this project is limited to lighting. While we cannot address all concerns at this time, community feedback will help guide further improvements on and near the SR 4 Crawford Bridge in the future.
