Visitors to Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, will have one less entrance to choose from for the foreseeable future. On April 14, 2025, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) permanently closed the Carbon River Fairfax Bridge located on State Route 165. The 494 foot bridge, first opened in 1921, has been closed following a recent inspection because of concerns over structural integrity. State Route 165 is the only way vehicles can access the Northwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park.
The Carbon River area in the Northwest corner of the park features a temperate rainforest that receives between 70 and 90 inches of rain per year. All this precipitation results in an intensely green forest with lush ferns and a thick coating of moss on just about everything. While great for foliage, the tremendous precipitation is not as beneficial for steel bridges.
Rusting of steel components of the bridge from perpetual exposure to moisture leads to deterioration. Steel bridges like the Carbon River Fairfax bridge are painted in an attempt to seal the steel from this degradation, but the last time this particular bridge was repainted was in 1988, according to WSDOT. Many of Washington’s aging bridges require repainting, but limited funding for bridge maintenance has kept these bridges exposed to the elements.
The inspection of the Carbon River Fairfax bridge revealed a large number of steel gussets, plates that connect beams and other bridge components, had excessive deterioration, even compared to just a few years ago. Further, at least one beam was observed to be buckling, a serious indication that the bridge’s structural integrity has been compromised.
WSDOT is currently leading a study to explore replacement options, but there is no state funding available to replace the bridge. Currently, the only way to access the Northwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park is via the 93 mile Wonderland trail, which circumnavigates the mountain. Motorized visitors to the park can still use the Paradise area, and the Sunrise area is expected to open in July.
