The Fairfax Bridge in Washington has been permanently closed after 103 years just weeks after a woman died after she slipped into the rushing waters below.
Fairfax Bridge over the Carbon River closed on April 14 after an inspection revealed that its steel supports had rusted and deteriorated to a dangerous degree.
The Washington State Department of Transportation found upon inspection that the bridge was no longer safe.
'It's very apparent from visual changes in the columns that the bridge is no longer safe to use,' said Olympic Region Administrator Steve Roark.
WSDOT said that the bridge's support columns had begun to buckle and bend in two directions, according to the outlet.
Pictures shared by the department depict the peeling structures and rust patches increasing over the course of time since 2022.
Closure of the 494-foot-long bridge, which opened to travelers in 1921, isolates the public from Mount Rainer National Park's Mowich Lake Entrance and Carbon River Ranger Station.
It also leaves other outdoor recreation access points to be no longer accessible.
Fairfax Bridge over the Carbon River closed on April 14 after an inspection revealed that its steel supports had rusted and deteriorated to a dangerous point
Closure of the 494-foot-long bridge, which opened to travelers in 1921, isolates the public from Mount Rainer National Park's Mowich Lake Entrance and Carbon River Ranger Station
'It's very apparent from visual changes in the columns that the bridge is no longer safe to use,' said Olympic Region Administrator Steve Roark
While a nine-mile emergency detour has been made available for first responders and residents on the other side of the bridge, the impact of its closure is great.
'Closing the bridge was our last option. We fully understand the magnitude of this decision for everyone who relies on this bridge,' Roark said in the statement.
As the bridge deteriorated over the years, its closure is the final step after restrictions had been placed on the bridge three times since 2009.
Commercial vehicles were kept from crossing the bridge in 2013, and in July 2024 the bridge's load rating was reduced to 16,000 pounds.
The Washington State Department of Transportation is considering its options going forward, including replacing the bridge in a nearby location, re-routing route 165 to the east or west of Carbon River Canyon, or keeping the bridge closed with no replacement.
The department's biggest hurdle is the lack of funding available, and it is working with the Governor's office to consider possible next steps.
Fairfax Bridge's closure comes following the death of a former Army sergeant who fell into the waters of the Carbon River while hiking with her girlfriend.
The body of Zuleika Witron, 28, was found in the river after being spotted by a civilian flying a drone on Friday morning, the Pierce County Sheriff's Department said in a press release.
Pictures shared by the department depict the peeling structures and rust patches increasing over the course of time since 2022
The body of Zuleika Witron, 28, was found in the river after being spotted by a civilian flying a drone
'My heart is like, in a million pieces, but I'm trying my best to stay strong because I know my sister and I know she loves me very much and the last thing she'd want me to be is devastated,' Witron's younger sister Kiara said
On March 23, Wiltron slipped into the river before her body was recovered about two miles downriver, according to Deputy Carly Cappetto.
She and her girlfriend had been hiking with two dogs before she and one of the dogs fell off the Fairfax Bridge in Washington's Mount Rainier National Park, police said.
Witron plunged into the Carbon River and her girlfriend 'witnessed her being swept away in the heavy currently and attempted to grab her before being swept away in the rapids.'
Her dog, which had fallen in with her, was rescued about a quarter mile downstream and returned to Witron's girlfriend, police said.
'Central Pierce Fire, Ortin Swift Water, and Pierce County Sheriff Swift Water responded with a rope team and a boat to recover [Witron],' the police press release stated. 'Several family members remained on scene while the recovery efforts progressed.'
Witron's younger sister Kiara told Fox 13: 'I told her I love her, and I miss her, and I'm so sorry this happened to her, but I promise to make her proud, and I dedicate my life to her.'
'My heart is like, in a million pieces, but I'm trying my best to stay strong because I know my sister and I know she loves me very much and the last thing she'd want me to be is devastated,' she continued.
Kiara said her sister served as an Army medic, and wanted to help as many people as possible, including animals.
'Zulie's dog, Mace, was close to the edge of the canyon, and my sister attempted to reach to grab her, and they both slipped and feel from extreme heights into the Carbon River,' the GoFundMe said
Witron plunged into the Carbon River and her girlfriend 'witnessed her being swept away in the heavy currently and attempted to grab her before being swept away in the rapids'
'As we've seen, like my sister would give up her life for her dog, and she would have done this under any circumstance. So, as hurt as I am, I'm not upset with her for this decision.'
While Kiara grieves the loss of her older sister, she said the search effort has been heartwarming.
'I just couldn't be any more thankful for everyone's support,' she said.
A GoFundMe was created and further explained the tragic sequence of events.
'Zulie's dog, Mace, was close to the edge of the canyon, and my sister attempted to reach to grab her, and they both slipped and feel from extreme heights into the Carbon River,' it said.
'We want to thank all the first responders and volunteers that put many hours into this search since Sunday,' the sheriff's department said in a press release.
'Zuleika’s recovery can hopefully bring closure and peace to the family and all involved in this tragic incident.'
