Two lanes on northbound SR 167 are now open in a temporary traffic pattern that splits traffic into the right and left lanes over the damaged Third Avenue Southwest overpass in Pacific.
Commercial vehicles and transit must use the right lane through this area.
Project overview
On Sept. 23, 2025, an over-height vehicle struck the SR 167 overpass over Third Avenue Southwest in the city of Pacific along the King/Pierce county border. One of the girders was severely damaged and will need to be replaced. The repairs will require WSDOT to temporarily close left lanes of northbound SR 167 on the overpass as well as occasional full closures of the highway and Third Avenue that runs underneath it.
What to expect
Northbound SR 167 is reduced to two lanes just north of the King/Pierce county line. Starting Sunday morning, Oct. 12, WSDOT adjusted the current traffic configuration on northbound SR 167 to:
- Temporarily reopen the outside right lane and the inside left lane to traffic.
- Reduce the speed limit to 45 mph.
- Install barrier to prevent traffic from entering the middle lane and merging into the inside and outside lanes.
- Restrict all truck and transit traffic to the right lane.
Replacing a concrete girder requires time. Work is expected to begin as soon as possible, with crews working seven days a week to complete repairs in early 2026.
When repair work begins, northbound SR 167 will be reduced to one lane near the bridge to allow crews to safely stage equipment and perform repairs. All lanes of northbound SR 167 will close during the portion of the project when crews remove and replace the damaged girder.
While lanes are reduced, people should allow extra travel time and consider using alternate routes.
During times when northbound SR 167 is closed for repairs in Pacific, people will detour via West Valley Highway South.
SR 167 was built in the 1970s to connect cities between Puyallup and Renton and offer an alternative to I-5. The Third Avenue Southwest SR 167 overpass above Third Avenue Southwest was built in 1977 and widened in 1987 to increase traffic capacity on the highway. In 2024, about 52,400 vehicles used this section of northbound SR 167 daily. The overpass was most recently inspected in May 2025 and rated in fair condition.