As revealed in inspections since 2022, several timber truss diagonals on the 156-foot-long, 23-foot-wide Howe Truss have been deteriorating. An April 2025 report by Fickett Structural Solutions, Inc., found that while most bridge components are in good to fair condition, 13 of the 34 primary load carrying diagonals had “pockets of decay large enough to impact structural capacity.”

To minimize the chance of structural bridge damage and prolong the truss life while we work to rebuild, the Tribe posted signs for no mass gatherings, reducing the maximum load to 100 persons. The changes did restrict some events (Dine on the Dungeness, Run the Peninsula’s Railroad Bridge Run).

Yes, for pedestrians and bicyclists only; No vehicles of any kind are allowed. However, staff have limited gatherings on the truss section of the Railroad Bridge, as indicated by signs on and near the bridge.

The construction timeline is still dependent on funding, with a tentative goal of summer, July 1 to September 30, 2027.

Mainly for the salmon, this is a short 3-month window to conduct work below the ordinary high mean mark of the river. Construction of the new steel truss will be done off site on tribal land. The contractors need water levels at their lowest for safety purposes and to avoid “in-water” work. Project organizers seek to minimize the adverse potential for safety issues (such as a flood) with large equipment and staff in the area. Some revegetation will be required. This type of work will be carried out in the Fall after the bridge has re-opened.

In 2022, Olympic Discovery Trail users were able to use an unmarked detour that made use of Kendall Road, Old Olympic Highway, Heath Road, and E. Runnion Road.  The county has planned construction project on Heath Road in 2027. The county will decide how Heath or another road will be useful for a bicycle detour.

No adverse impact is expected to the recent restoration work.

Staff with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe are designing the new structure to preserve the Howe Truss in aesthetics, with tall, steel beams and diagonals echo the historic truss. The new design is slightly wider, allowing more space for pedestrian and non-motorized vehicle crossings on the Olympic Discovery Trail.

The engineer’s estimate for truss/bridge construction and replacement is about $3.1 million and would close the Olympic Discovery Trail for up to 3 months. The engineer’s estimate for repairing the Howe Truss and maintaining the deteriorating wood could cost upwards of $10 million over the next 20 years and would involve more frequent closures of the bridge.

Maintenance and rehabilitation of the wooden bridge would exhaust resources and lead to regular, prolonged closures.

Replacing the structure is also an opportunity to take out creosote-treated timber from the site. Creosote is a toxic preservative product used against termites, fungi, mites and other pests, poses risks to fish and invertebrates.

The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe considered three options: a reduced version of the current truss that allows for minimal passage, a near-replication of the Howe Truss, and a balance between the first two options. The Tribal Council, staff and engineers support the largest version, one that keeps intact the character of the truss while improving safety for its users.

The bridge is inspected by a structural engineer annually, or more frequently as determined by events and observed deterioration. (The next inspection is scheduled for February 2026.)

The project contractor will dispose of the creosote-treated timbers. Tribe staff have not yet identified what will happen with other pieces of the historic truss.

In 2023, the most recent year the River Center’s Eco-counter was in use for an entire year, there were 334,000 recorded bridge crossings. In 2025, with the counter active for nine months, more than 242,000 crossings were recorded.