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Is the blue bridge finally done? See our photos of the $33M traffic-jamming paint job

Kennewick, WA

Daily lane closures on the blue bridge are a thing of the past.

The Washington Department of Transportation is finished with its $33.5 million project to repaint the Pioneer Memorial Bridge, aka the blue bridge.

The 2,500-foot span carries Highway 395 across the Columbia River between Kennewick and Pasco.

The year-long project began in February and jammed traffic across the Tri-Cities for much of the year.

It also prompted endless cracks about whether local drivers could handle zipper merging.

The consensus: No.

Some intermittent lane closures are still a possibility as it finishes up smaller parts of the project, but the longer backups are over, says WSDOT.

The Tri-Cities’ busiest Columbia River span, the blue bridge, is nearly done with $33.5 million paint job that started in January. The painting project didn’t alter the blue bridge’s famous color, but it did snarl traffic for nearly a full year.
The Tri-Cities’ busiest Columbia River span, the blue bridge, is nearly done with $33.5 million paint job that started in January. The painting project didn’t alter the blue bridge’s famous color, but it did snarl traffic for nearly a full year. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

Southern Road and Bridge of Florida, the contractor, completed the job and removed scaffolding and containment systems on Dec. 15, capping several frenzied weeks where workers could be seen scrambling to remove equipment as the holidays loomed.

The project refreshed and repaired the bridge and eliminated rust that had taken hold on the 1955-built structure.

Bob Brawdy, the Tri-City Herald’s longtime photo chief, and other staffers documented the work from start to finish.

Check out some of his before, during and after images.

Before

The Tri-Cities’ busiest Columbia River span, the blue bridge, is getting a $33.5 million paint job starting in January. The painting project won’t alter the blue bridge’s famous color, but it will snarl traffic for a full year.
The Tri-Cities’ busiest Columbia River span, the blue bridge, is getting a $33.5 million paint job starting in January. The painting project won’t alter the blue bridge’s famous color, but it will snarl traffic for a full year. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

After

The Tri-Cities’ busiest Columbia River span, the blue bridge, is nearly done with $33.5 million paint job that started in January. The painting project didn’t alter the blue bridge’s famous color, but it did snarl traffic for nearly a full year.
The Tri-Cities’ busiest Columbia River span, the blue bridge, is nearly done with $33.5 million paint job that started in January. The painting project didn’t alter the blue bridge’s famous color, but it did snarl traffic for nearly a full year. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

Repainting the blue bridge was WSDOT’s largest transportation project in the Tri-Cities in 2024.

The work prompted regular daytime lane closure, sparking traffic congestion in both directions on Highway 395 and occasionally on the other Columbia River bridges as motorists changed up their routes to avoid the construction zone.

During the project, the contractor shrouded the bridge in tarps and put in a work platform where workers blasted off the old paint and rust.

Before

Faded paint and rust are showing on the girders of the four-lane blue bridge, also known as the Pioneer Memorial Bridge. It carries Highway 395 over the Columbia River, linking Pasco and Kennewick. The last time it was repainted was in 1995 for $1.8 million
Faded paint and rust are showing on the girders of the four-lane blue bridge, also known as the Pioneer Memorial Bridge. It carries Highway 395 over the Columbia River, linking Pasco and Kennewick. The last time it was repainted was in 1995 for $1.8 million Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

After

The Tri-Cities’ busiest Columbia River span, the blue bridge, is nearly done with $33.5 million paint job that started in January. The painting project didn’t alter the blue bridge’s famous color, but it did snarl traffic for nearly a full year.
The Tri-Cities’ busiest Columbia River span, the blue bridge, is nearly done with $33.5 million paint job that started in January. The painting project didn’t alter the blue bridge’s famous color, but it did snarl traffic for nearly a full year. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

The material was collected in a vacuum system to keep from falling into the river. Surface damage was repaired and the bridge got five coats of the same Air Force blue color that informs its nickname.

The Federal Highway Administration’s National Highway Performance Program paid for the project, which will extend the life of the structure.

Take a walk down blue bridge memory lane below.

February 2024, setting up

Equipment and supplies are staged on the Pasco side of the blue bridge for the upcoming $33.5 million painting project of the four-lane span, also known as the Pioneer Memorial Bridge., that carries Highway 395 over the Columbia River, linking Pasco and Kennewick.
Equipment and supplies are staged on the Pasco side of the blue bridge for the upcoming $33.5 million painting project of the four-lane span, also known as the Pioneer Memorial Bridge., that carries Highway 395 over the Columbia River, linking Pasco and Kennewick. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

February 2024, staging gear

Equipment and supplies are staged on the Pasco side of the blue bridge for the upcoming $33.5 million painting project of the four-lane span, also known as the Pioneer Memorial Bridge., that carries Highway 395 over the Columbia River, linking Pasco and Kennewick.
Equipment and supplies are staged on the Pasco side of the blue bridge for the upcoming $33.5 million painting project of the four-lane span, also known as the Pioneer Memorial Bridge., that carries Highway 395 over the Columbia River, linking Pasco and Kennewick. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

August 2024, wind in forecast

Construction workers climb on the girders Tuesday morning temporarily taking down the “cocoon” of tarps on the south side of the span as a strong breeze unfurls the U.S. flag in the background. The tarps are being used prevent debris falling into the river or onto passing vehicles during a year-long, $33.5 million paint project.
Construction workers climb on the girders Tuesday morning temporarily taking down the “cocoon” of tarps on the south side of the span as a strong breeze unfurls the U.S. flag in the background. The tarps are being used prevent debris falling into the river or onto passing vehicles during a year-long, $33.5 million paint project. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

August 2024, cruise ship passes

A “cocoon” of tarps on the south side of the span as a strong breeze unfurls the U.S. flag and a river paddle boat navigates up the Columbia River before workers started temporarily removing them Tuesday morning because of a wind advisory for the Lower Columbia Basin. The tarps are being used prevent debris falling into the river or onto passing vehicles during a year-long, $33.5 million paint project.
A “cocoon” of tarps on the south side of the span as a strong breeze unfurls the U.S. flag and a river paddle boat navigates up the Columbia River before workers started temporarily removing them Tuesday morning because of a wind advisory for the Lower Columbia Basin. The tarps are being used prevent debris falling into the river or onto passing vehicles during a year-long, $33.5 million paint project. Laurie Williams lwilliams@tricityherald.com

September 2024, lane closures

A “cocoon” of tarps cover the south side of the blue bridge during a year-long, $33.5 million paint and repair project. They are being used to prevent debris falling into the Columbia River or onto passing vehicles.
A “cocoon” of tarps cover the south side of the blue bridge during a year-long, $33.5 million paint and repair project. They are being used to prevent debris falling into the Columbia River or onto passing vehicles. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

September 2024, drone view

A “cocoon” of tarps cover the south side of the blue bridge during a year-long, $33.5 million paint and repair project. They are being used to prevent debris falling into the Columbia River or onto passing vehicles.
A “cocoon” of tarps cover the south side of the blue bridge during a year-long, $33.5 million paint and repair project. They are being used to prevent debris falling into the Columbia River or onto passing vehicles. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

October 2024, Kennewick traffic

Traffic converges into one lane in the northbound ramps of Highway 395 to the blue bridge during the $33.5 million painting project of the span over the Columbia River.
Traffic converges into one lane in the northbound ramps of Highway 395 to the blue bridge during the $33.5 million painting project of the span over the Columbia River. Bob Brawdy bbrawdy@tricityherald.com

October 2024, containment gear in Pasco

Southern Road and Bridge, the contractor working on the $33.5 million project to repaint Pioneer Memorial Bridge, aka the blue bridge, is expected to finish painting in late November and to remove containment equipment positioned under the bridge on the Pasco shoreline by mid-January.
Southern Road and Bridge, the contractor working on the $33.5 million project to repaint Pioneer Memorial Bridge, aka the blue bridge, is expected to finish painting in late November and to remove containment equipment positioned under the bridge on the Pasco shoreline by mid-January. Tri-City Herald

This story was originally published December 20, 2024 at 10:35 AM.

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Wendy Culverwell
Tri-City Herald
Reporter Wendy Culverwell writes about growth, development and business for the Tri-City Herald. She has worked for daily and weekly publications in Washington and Oregon. She earned a degree in English and economics from the University of Puget Sound. Support my work with a digital subscription
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