The Washington State Department of Transportation plans to close two westbound lanes beginning at 5 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, and keep them closed through Sunday, Nov. 8. The Jackson Avenue on-ramp to westbound State Route 16 will also be closed. WSDOT says the HOV lane will be available to all drivers during the work.

The agency warns that backups could last an hour or more for people traveling from Tacoma and Gig Harbor. About 90,000 vehicles use the bridge each day, making the reduced capacity a significant disruption for South Sound commuters and other travelers.

Some drivers say congestion is already common, particularly during evening commutes and on weekends. Yorleny Clapper, who travels to Gig Harbor nearly every day, said traffic can be heavy even when no lanes are closed. Commuter Mark Jacobsen said the work could push weekend backups toward Tacoma and add time to already lengthy trips.

The repairs address an expansion joint, a component that allows the bridge to move with temperature changes and traffic. WSDOT reported 11 emergency repairs to westbound bridge expansion joints over the past two years. A larger joint-refurbishment project is being planned, potentially for next year, to extend the bridge’s service life.