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Summary
King County Executive Shannon Braddock issued a Proclamation of Emergency today regarding the recent closure of the White River Bridge on State Route 410.
Story
WHEREAS, the King County Office of Emergency Management has reported to me on August 22, 2025 that King County has activated the King County Regional Emergency Operations Center for a significant civil emergency caused by the closure of the State Route 410 White River Bridge; and
WHEREAS, on August 18, 2025, the State Route 410 White River Bridge, connecting King County and Pierce County, was struck by a vehicle causing extensive damage to the horizontal and vertical supports of the bridge, necessitating a full closure of the bridge in both directions for an indeterminate time period; and
WHEREAS, vehicular traffic, pedestrians, and bicycles are not allowed on the bridge, and there is a signed detour in place directing travelers around the closure, which can take 45 minutes or longer to traverse; and
WHEREAS, a detailed assessment and inspection of the bridge is ongoing by the Washington Department of Transportation, with estimates of the bridge closure to be weeks to months at a minimum; and
WHEREAS, the Foothills Trail Bridge, part of the Foothills Trail, is a 572-foot-long weathered steel bridge connecting King County and Pierce County approximately 100 yards from the State Route 410 White River Bridge; and
WHEREAS, the Foothills Trail Bridge was designed for pedestrian and bicycle use, and with the added design to accommodate emergency vehicles such as police cars, fire engines, and ambulances in emergency situations; and
WHEREAS, additional pedestrian traffic across the Foothills Trail Bridge, including after established hours, has been accompanied by increased parking along roads adjacent to the entrance to the bridge and parts of the Foothills Trail; and
WHEREAS, these conditions are creating increased risk for users of the bridge and a risk to public property and facilities, and threaten public safety, property destruction, injury, and travel conditions; and
WHEREAS, these conditions are contributing to the noted specific effects, and a need to make immediate contracting, purchasing, and related decisions to prevent harm; and
WHEREAS, as described in SECTION 2 of this Proclamation, the situation is sufficiently serious that it is necessary that I proclaim an emergency within King County and exercise the Executive’s emergency powers; and
WHEREAS, I have reviewed the situation, consulted with Executive branch agencies and personnel, and verified the emergency cited above and the necessity for me to take immediate, extraordinary action as outlined in this Proclamation.
NOW THEREFORE, I, SHANNON BRADDOCK, AS KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE, DO PROCLAIM AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1: EMERGENCY POWERS
A. As described in SECTION 2, an emergency exists requiring and authorizing me to exercise the emergency powers vested in me as King County Executive by RCW chapter 38.52, and King County Code chapters 2.56 and 12.52, as described in this Proclamation; and
B. Effective upon my signing this Proclamation, I will exercise that authority through the use and direction of County personnel, services, and equipment, and additional acts necessary to the management of this emergency.
SECTION 2: PROCLAMATION OF EMERGENCY
A. Based on my review of the present circumstances, the report of the King County Office of Emergency Management, and my consultations with Executive branch agencies and personnel, I find and proclaim that an emergency exists, as defined in K.C.C. 12.52.010 A, due to the closure of the State Route 410 White River Bridge, consisting of an increased risk to users of the bridge and a risk to public property and facilities, and threatening public safety, property destruction, injury, and travel conditions, and that these conditions demand that I exercise the authority assumed in SECTION 1 and take the extraordinary measures stated in SECTION 3, for the immediate preservation of public health, safety, and order, and the prevention of damage to public property (and restoration of such property to a condition of usefulness, as such property may have been damaged), and to relieve loss, hardship, and suffering.
SECTION 3: ORDER
A. Pursuant to K.C.C. 12.52.030 C.2., I hereby order that the public advertising and competitive procurement requirements of state law and K.C.C. chapter 2.93, and all applicable Executive policies and procedures, and the requirements of K.C.C. chapter 12.19, are waived relating to County contracts for the following purchases or leases:
- Tangible personal property;
- Public works as defined by RCW 39.04.010; and
- Services, including professional or technical services.
B. Pursuant to K.C.C. 12.52.030 C.1., I hereby order that King County Staff may authorize overtime for personnel in positions requiring overtime to adequately respond to the emergency.
C. Pursuant to K.C.C. 12.52.030 C.10 and not withstanding K.C.C. 7.12.030, I hereby direct the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (“Department”) to immediately allow 24-hour use of the Foothills Trail Bridge and necessary parts of its approaches for pedestrians, cyclists and emergency vehicles to cross the White River. The Department shall:
- Ensure that appropriate lighting and signage is maintained over the portions of the approaches and the Foothills Trail Bridge that are open on a 24-hour basis; and
- Take other steps, as necessary, to allow safe use of the Foothills Trail Bridge by emergency vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
All users of the Foothills Trail Bridge and its approaches shall continue to follow K.C.C. 7.12.315.
D. I further the reserve the right to issue such further orders as authorized by K.C.C. chapter 12.52 and other sections as may be necessary to respond to the emergency proclaimed in SECTION 2.
SECTION 4: NOTICE
A. A copy of this Proclamation and any order(s) issued hereunder shall be delivered to the Clerk of the Council and each King County Councilmember by email before the execution of any contract or lease authorized under SECTION 3. A copy of this Proclamation and any order(s) issued hereunder shall also be filed with the Clerk of the Council by no later than 10:00 a.m. on the second business day after issuance. To the extent practicable, a copy of this Proclamation and all emergency orders issued hereunder shall be delivered to all news media within King County and made available to the general public.
SECTION 5: EXPIRATION AND TERMINATON
A. This Proclamation shall continue in force and effect until terminated by order of the Executive or action by the County Council by ordinance. However, the order in SECTION 3A shall expire twenty-one (21) calendar days after issuance, unless terminated sooner by order of the Executive or action by the County Council by motion, or extended by the County Council by motion.
DATED this 23rd day of August, 2025.
SHANNON BRADDOCK, Executive
King County, Washington
Emergency Proclamation Text
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