As a long-time supporter of safe and reliable transportation across our state, I recently participated in the Joint Transportation Committee tour to SE WA and witness first hand the urgent need to replace the US-12 bridge in Waitsburg.

Built in 1931, this narrow bridge was designed for Model T cars, not the heavy semi-trucks that now cross it daily. While the bridge has served the community well for nearly a century, it is clear that it no longer meets the demands of modern transportation or the safety needs of local residents. Although this bridge is critical it is only one of many we should highlight all district bridges.

The community first recognized the need for replacement in 2007–2008, when the project’s estimated cost was $3.6 million. Today, the price has soared to at least $10 million — a clear reminder of how delays and stricter regulations have driven up the costs of even essential infrastructure.

Unfortunately, although local leaders see the urgency, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) does not currently view the bridge as a top priority for replacement. WSDOT officials suggest that minor cleanup work around the riverbed might be enough, but as we saw firsthand, this bridge is a vital rural lifeline — not a structure that can simply be patched and left to deteriorate further.

The replacement bridge would be built to modern standards, including wider lanes and ADA-compliant sidewalks, which are necessary for community safety. However, state mandates and overlapping environmental restrictions now mean construction could take two years or more once funding is approved.

As I continue my work on transportation and infrastructure issues, I’ll persist in advocating for practical solutions that emphasize safety, accountability, and timely investments — especially in our rural communities that are too often overlooked in Olympia’s planning. Projects like the Waitsburg bridge shouldn’t take decades to advance. The people who rely on these roads deserve better.