SNOHOMISH COUNTY – For nearly a century, Granite Falls Bridge 102 has served the region’s tourism, timber and mining industries by providing a vital crossing of the South Fork Stillaguamish River on the Mountain Loop Highway. As Snohomish County moves forward to replace the bridge, plans are underway to find a new home for the steel deck truss, a significant element of the bridge structure. Proposals are being accepted through August 27, 2026.
“Because the bridge holds historical and cultural significance to the community and is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, we hope the main span can be moved and repurposed in some way,” Snohomish County Public Works Director Kelly Snyder said. “While the county doesn’t seek payment for the structure, the new owner will be responsible for transportation of the truss to a new location, reassembly and ongoing maintenance.”
Built in 1934, the existing bridge is 336 feet long and 28 feet wide. The main span consists of a 160-foot-long riveted steel deck truss, utilizing a three-hinge arched Pratt truss. The truss is 20 feet wide with an overall rise in the arch of 35 feet.
“The arched steel deck Pratt truss is the most distinguishing feature of the Granite Falls Bridge,” Snohomish County Engineer Doug McCormick explains, “Bridge 102 is thought to be one of the oldest three-hinged deck truss bridges still standing in Washington, if not the oldest. The first steel deck truss bridges in the northwest were constructed for railroads in the late 1800s.”
Snohomish County will donate the truss to any governmental, non-profit or responsible private entity for public or private use. Priority will be given to an interested party that can:
- Maintain the features of the arched deck truss that give it historic integrity
- Provide a new location for the structure
- Assume legal and financial responsibility for the structure
If there are no acceptable proposals to preserve the arched truss, then the County may consider other proposals for portions of the structure.
Individuals or entities interested in submitting a proposal for the existing bridge should contact the Snohomish County Purchasing Department. To request a proposal (RFP) package or submit questions, please call (425) 388-3344 or email purchasing@snoco.org. The deadline is August 27, 2026.
Relevant URLs:
- Granite Falls Bridge 102 Bridge Relocation webpage: snohomishcountywa.gov/6741
- Snohomish County Purchasing Department webpage: snohomishcountywa.gov/186
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 www.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
