04/23/2025
HWY 165 FAIRFAX BRIDGE UPDATE:
We attended the WSDOT Fairfax Bridge meeting at Wilkeson City Hall today. Due to a buckling support beam and other deteriorating parts such as gussets WSDOT has decided to permanently close the Fairfax Bridge on HWY 165. It is closed to all types of traffic including bikes and pedestrians. This means there will be no more motorized public access to Mowich Lake, Evan’s Creek ORV Park, Sunset Trailhead, Coplay Lake, and the Carbon River Mt. Rainier Park/Ranger Station. 165 will be closed before the bridge at the Carbonado 3 way stop, as this is the last place big enough for large vehicles to turn around.
DO NOT PARK ALONG 165 NEAR THE CLOSURE/TURN AROUND! The Washington State Patrol will be enfocing a no parking zone in that area. Residents of Carbonado are urged to call into the WSP non emergency line or to 911 to report this violation if seen.
At this time there is no funding/budget for a repair, replacement, or an alternate route. If funds became available, it would at the very least take 2 years before any progress was made in the direction of either option.
Real property owners south of the closed bridge and emergency responders have been granted access and given keys to a series of gates that allow passage through several private properties connected primarily by rough logging roads.
CARBON CANYON RESIDENTS: If you are in need of a tow or a service call in this now very secluded area we have made arrangements with the local authorities and will be granted acess in the event you need our service. So please don’t hesitate to call us at 360-889-0806.