Old Knik River Bridge closed without warning after inspection flags damage
The 90-year-old bridge is used as a pedestrian and recreational vehicle path.
What you need to know:
- The 90-year-old historic Knik River Bridge near Butte was closed without warning Oct. 5 after an inspection found significant deterioration in its concrete support piers.
- No repair plan or reopening date has been established. State transportation officials are considering temporary repairs to stabilize the bridge.
- Built in 1936 as part of the original Glenn Highway, the roughly 1,800-foot bridge was closed to vehicles in 1975 and has since been used by pedestrians and recreational users.
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BUTTE — A 90-year-old bridge over the Knik River near Butte was closed without warning last week after a state safety inspection found that crumbling piers beneath the deck pose a serious safety hazard.
Workers installed tall chain-link fencing and “Road Closed” signs at both ends of the old Knik River Bridge early last week, state transportation department spokesperson Justin Shelby said in an email.
“An inspection this summer revealed significant deterioration of the concrete pier walls, to the point that they no longer provide sufficient support for the old Knik River Bridge's trusses,” he said. “Given the condition of the structure, closing the bridge was necessary to protect public safety.”
A repair plan has not been developed, and there is no estimate for when the bridge will reopen, he said.
“Our engineers are currently exploring interim measures such as temporarily shoring up the deteriorated concrete piers to allow the bridge to reopen while we evaluate potential long-term solutions,” he said.
Crews last inspected the bridge in 2022 as part of their regular safety checks, Shelby said.
The roughly 1,800-foot single-lane bridge is supported by a combination of wooden and concrete pilings. Originally constructed in 1936, the bridge provided the first roadway connection between Anchorage and Mat-Su as part of the Glenn Highway before the highway was rerouted to its current course over the hayflats.
The bridge was closed to vehicle traffic in 1975 when a new double-lane span was constructed next to it. The old bridge was then converted to pedestrian and recreational use.
-- Contact Amy Bushatz at contact@matsusentinel.com