Sequim – As we reported in January, the large truss portion of the popular and picturesque Railroad Bridge at the Dungeness River Nature Center in Sequim is deteriorating and must be replaced soon.
Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe officials said at the time that replacing the wooden Howe Truss with a steel replica is the only cost-effective option that still preserves the bridge’s character, while also improving safety on this much-used section of the Olympic Discovery Trail.
The Tribe provided an update this week, saying they recently hired engineers with Fickett Structural Solutions to perform an inspection of the bridge, including the massive truss.
The report says the bridge continues to deteriorate but remains safe and open to the public for now. The engineers’ recommendation to limit heavy loads on the bridge still stands.
The construction timeline is still dependent on funding, with a tentative goal for the summer of 2027. Construction of the new steel truss will be completed on site, and contractors will need water levels at their lowest for safety and environmental concerns, thus the summertime construction window.
Project partners have started a Railroad Bridge Replacement Capital Campaign to raise funds for the project, and the Tribe has made a funding request to the state legislature, emphasizing that the Olympic Discovery Trail benefits the entire community and region.
The Dungeness River Nature Center has set up a dedicated page on their website at dungenessrivercenter.org, where you can learn much more about the plan and get your questions answered.
(Photos by Mike Dashiell/Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe)
