The City of Tukwila announced that $17 million has been included in the proposed 2027 to 2029 Washington State transportation budget for replacement of Tukwila’s 42nd Ave South bridge, restoring funding that had previously been removed from last year’s adopted state transportation budget.
According to the City of Tukwila, the State Senate and State House released their supplemental transportation budgets Monday, which include the requested funding for the project. The budget must still be approved by the full Legislature and signed by the governor before the funding becomes final.
City officials said the funding timeline aligns with the anticipated construction schedule for the bridge replacement project.
Over the past year, the mayor, City Council members, and city staff have advocated for restoration of the state funding after it was mistakenly removed from the prior transportation budget, the city said.
City staff continue to pursue additional funding opportunities from both state and federal sources to help cover the estimated cost of construction.
The city reported that project design is nearing completion and that staff are working to obtain final approvals. Construction in and over a waterway requires extensive permitting at both the state and federal levels, along with consultation with affected tribal nations.
Through that consultation process, several project modifications have been made, including removal of a temporary vehicle bridge, addition of salmon habitat improvements, and incorporation of historic preservation elements to honor the legacy of the existing bridge, according to the city.
The city said it is prioritizing collaboration with tribes and regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with treaty rights and environmental laws. Once final design concurrence is achieved, the project must undergo additional state and federal review, including the required National Environmental Policy Act process.
Due to federal staffing shortages and review backlogs, those approvals are expected to take longer than normal, the city said.
Despite those challenges, the city stated that collaborative work has shortened the anticipated construction duration, and the project is still expected to be completed by the end of 2029. A specific reopening date will depend on final permitting timelines and construction sequencing.
Tukwila’s current 42nd Ave South Bridge.
Rendering of the replacement bridge.
