The Carbon River Fairfax Bridge, which provides access to the northwest area of Mount Rainier National Park, has been indefinitely closed, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
The 103-year-old bridge is closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic following a recent inspection that revealed new deterioration of the steel structure. WSDOT bridge engineers will conduct further investigations to determine the scope of the damage.
The bridge provided access to Mount Rainier’s Mowich Lake Entrance, Carbon River Ranger Station and other outdoor recreation areas. There is now no public access from SR 165 to these areas.
The park reported nearly 16,000 vehicles entered from this route in 2024. The Mowich Lake area features hikes such as Tolmie Peak Lookout, Spray Falls and Spray Park. There is no alternative access to this area of the park.
According to WSDOT, there is no current funding available to replace the bridge. Much of the previous preservation work was deferred due to limited funding. There is no timeline for when the bridge will reopen.
History of the bridge
The 494-foot-long bridge opened to the public in 1921, and was expected to have a service life of 75 years.
Multiple weight restrictions have been placed on the bridge in the past 20 years. In 2013, commercial vehicles were restricted from crossing the bridge. In July 2024, the bridge’s load rating was reduced to 16,000 pounds.
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