Foothills Trail closed at Ski Park Bridge Aug. 22 – 24

The wooden bridge needs to replaced, so crews are performing some geotechnical drilling before new construction

By Ray Miller-Still • August 8, 2023 3:00 pm
The Ski Park Bridge is located nearly exactly between the South Prairie and Orting trailheads. Image courtesy Pierce County
The Ski Park Bridge is located nearly exactly between the South Prairie and Orting trailheads. Image courtesy Pierce County

The Foothills Trail section between South Prairie and Orting will be closed later this month.

According to a Pierce County press release, the Ski Park Bridge, just north of the Carbon River, will be inaccessible from Aug. 22 to 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for geotechnical drilling. The trail will be available before and after drilling hours.

The wooden Ski Park Bridge was originally built in 1904 as a trestle along the former railroad that is now the Foothills Trail.

Given it’s age and location — in a wetland — it needs to be replaced, and the drilling is one of the early steps to constructing a new concrete girder bridge. Construction of the bridge is expected in 2025 and could take about six months.

Other temporary closures to take note of will be at the 136th Street Trail Crossing and the Military Road Trail Crossing for ADA improvements; dates for these closures are TBD.