Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pierce County approves $50,000 emergency fund to help Buckley after White River Bridge crash
Summary
Pierce County Council on Sept. 9 approved an emergency resolution authorizing a $50,000 interlocal agreement with the City of Buckley to mitigate travel and emergency‑response impacts from the August 18 White River Bridge collapse; Pierce Transit may operate temporary shuttles and the ILA requires a 60‑day report and six‑month expenditure window.
Pierce County’s council on Tuesday adopted an emergency resolution authorizing the county executive to sign an interlocal agreement with the City of Buckley to provide $50,000 in short‑term mitigation after the White River Bridge on State Route 410 was severely damaged in an August 18 crash.
Council staffer Carrie Waterland told the council that the bridge — struck by a semi and closed by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) — carried about 22,000 vehicles per day before the incident and that WSDOT estimates the bridge will remain closed through October 2025 while repairs continue. Detours add roughly 45 to 60 minutes for nonemergency trips, Waterland said.
The emergency interlocal agreement (ILA) identifies Pierce Transit as the likely operator for temporary shuttle service to the Pierce County side of the bridge and allows Buckley to use the $50,000 first for transportation services. Any remaining funds may be used for other community impacts tied to the closure; the ILA requires Buckley to expend funds within six months of execution and to submit a report within 60 days after the agreement ends showing authorized uses and accounting for expenditures.
Councilmembers described the damage as a catastrophic accident affecting East Pierce County’s only direct connection to King County in that area and praised the executive’s quick action. Councilmember Morell said the county’s contribution — “dug into the couch cushions,” in his words — will provide short‑term relief while WSDOT works on repairs.
No members of the public spoke on the emergency proposal. The council adopted R2025‑203 on a unanimous 5–0 roll call vote.
What happens next: The county expects the ILA to be published on its interlocal agreements webpage after execution. Buckley must report back within the ILA’s required timeline describing how the money was used; unused funds must be returned to Pierce County.
