SNOHOMISH COUNTY – The first Red Bridge was constructed in 1893 to carry the Everett and Monte Cristo Railway over its final river crossing from the gold mines in the North Cascade Mountains to a smelter in Everett. The current bridge, which carries motorists along Mountain Loop Hwy, will receive preventative maintenance and a new coat of red paint this summer.
“Throughout its history, the Red Bridge name stayed the same, but the red color did not,” explains Public Works Director Kelly Snyder. “The current bridge that stands today was originally painted blue when it was built in 1954, and then in the mid-1970s, it was painted beige. In the early 1990s, it was painted red in honor of the earlier railroad bridge, which had rusted and turned red in the 1930s.”
Located approximately 18 miles east of Granite Falls, the three-span structure measures 161-feet long and 26-feet wide. The bridge carries two lanes of traffic over the South Fork Stillaguamish River. It has varying levels of corrosion and deteriorating surface paint. Lead base paint is present on the bridge and will require special care to remove. Crews will follow health and environmental safety regulations and carefully remove the old paint within a containment system. With protective measures in place, crews will then perform minor structural repairs, and repaint the structural steel. The bridge will be painted Insignia Red to reflect the historical record of this structure.
Impacts to Red Bridge Campground
Red Bridge 537 is located next to the Red Bridge Campground in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The campground is a popular destination for fishing, kayaking and hiking enthusiasts. The Mountain Loop Hwy and United States Forest Service (USFS) campground will be open as usual this summer, but campers should expect some construction noise near the bridge on weekdays during daylight hours. To reserve camping spots or make a change to a current reservation, visit the USFS website:https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mbs/recarea/?recid=17840
Construction Schedule and Traffic Impacts
Construction is expected to occur June through October 2025. Crews will work during the day Monday through Friday. No work will occur on evenings or weekends. Drivers along the Mountain Loop Hwy can expect single lane closures with minimal delays. To find more information or to sign up to receive construction updates, visit snohomishcountywa.gov/6187.
About Snohomish County Public Works
Snohomish County Public Works is responsible for approximately 1,600 miles of county roads, more than 200 bridges, and manages in excess of 200 traffic control signals. The department also processes nearly 670,000 tons of garbage per year. Its mission is to focus on safety and mobility while practicing fiscal responsibility and preserving the environment. Public Works has won numerous state and national honors for its work and is the second-largest department within Snohomish County government with nearly 600 employees plus seasonal staff. Its main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett, WA 98201. Visit snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks or follow the department on Facebook, Instagram, and X for more information about Snohomish County Public Works.
Source: Snohomish County Public Works
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
