Pullman staff outline repair, retrofit and replacement options for Pine Street pedestrian bridge after high water damage

Public Works Director Frank McCaughey McKehey briefed the Pullman City Council on June 16 about damage to the Pine Street Plaza pedestrian bridge after a March high-water event that floated the structure off its north abutment.

McCaughey McKehey said staff found visible damage to the north abutment — cracked concrete, exposed reinforcing bars and a bent anchor eye — and that the bridge deck itself appears intact based on a visual inspection but will undergo a more thorough structural review. "We know for a fact we have to repair that abutment," he said.

The presentation outlined three broad approaches under study: repair the damaged north abutment and return the existing bridge to its original footings; retrofit the bridge so it can be temporarily raised ahead of high-water events; or permanently raise or replace the bridge, which would require major design work and ADA accommodations. McCaughey McKehey said staff has consulted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Fish and Wildlife about permitting and that a simple in-place abutment repair would likely require about 30 days for permits, while larger changes would trigger more complex state and federal approvals.

Representing downtown interests, Bobby Ryder of the Downtown Pullman Association told the council the bridge is an "iconic piece of our downtown" and asked that the community be involved in any redesign. "It's a way to enjoy the river," Ryder said, arguing for a reinvention that keeps pedestrian connectivity and public character.

Council members pressed staff on several points. Council member Wright asked about insurance: "Is there no insurance mitigation involved with this since it was an act of God?" Staff said the bridge itself was insured for damage but that insurance likely would not cover moving the bridge and that the city has submitted an inquiry to the carrier; staff noted a $50,000 deductible and that any claim would need to exceed that amount. Council member Parks asked if the deck is structurally sound; McCaughey McKehey said only a visual inspection has been done so far and a more thorough structural assessment is pending.

Council member McDonald emphasized timing ahead of heavy visitor seasons and said the council should not simply reinstall the bridge if it will float off again. McCaughey McKehey said the options will be evaluated with the structural engineer, crane specialists and permitting authorities and that staff will return to council with cost estimates and funding options. He proposed a fast-track schedule that would complete damage assessment, permitting and initial contract work by September 2026 and finish abutment repairs by November 2026 if a retrofit or in-place repair is selected, with retrofit design or replacement work proceeding in 2027 if needed.

McCaughey McKehey stressed the tradeoffs of resilience and cost: "We want long term resilience but at a reasonable cost," he said, and asked council to consider adding any retrofit or replacement work to the city's Capital Improvement Program so funding can be identified. The council did not take a formal action on the bridge at the meeting; staff was directed to complete the structural assessment, develop options and return with proposals, permitting requirements and cost estimates.

Next steps: staff will complete the engineering assessment and options analysis, confirm permitting pathways with resource agencies, and report back to the council with recommended scope and budget for inclusion in the CIP or a separate funding plan.