Plans are moving forward for the eventual replacement of the Fox Island Bridge, the vital link between Fox Island and the Gig Harbor mainland. Built in 1954, the bridge has served the community for over 70 years, but engineers have determined it’s nearing the end of its useful life. Pierce County is now studying several options for a new bridge span — and nearby homeowners are understandably worried about what that might mean for their properties.
Early concepts show three possible routes: two 2,000-foot options (one to the east, one to the west of the current bridge) and a longer 3,000-foot version that would arc further west. A fourth “defer” option would extend the existing bridge’s life for up to 20 more years through continued repairs. Depending on which route is chosen, as many as 5–10 homescould be directly affected by right-of-way purchases, staging areas, or view changes.
Neighbors say information from the county has been limited, leaving some unsure whether their property lies in the bridge’s future path. While design details remain fluid, construction isn’t expected to begin until 2030 or later, with cost estimates between $205–$245 million.
Proposed upgrades — including new stormwater ponds and a roundabout at Warren Drive NW — could improve safety and drainage but have also sparked concern about neighborhood character.
For now, the county is finalizing its Type, Size & Location (TS&L) Study, which will help narrow down the options. Until funding and environmental reviews are complete, residents are in a holding pattern — waiting to see how one of the South Sound’s most iconic connections will evolve.
