Governor Ferguson request for Economic Injury Disaster Loans for businesses after White River Bridge closure granted

OLYMPIA -The U.S. Small Business Administration today granted Governor Bob Ferguson's formal requestfor a declaration to allow businesses impacted by the closure of the White River Bridge to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans through the agency.

"Local and tribal businesses are already feeling the impacts of this bridge closure," Ferguson said. "They still have to pay their bills to stay open. These low-interest federal loans will give them breathing room while we work seven days a week to re-open the bridge."

The White River Bridge, on State Route 410 between Buckley and Enumclaw, was struck by an over-height truck last month, causing significant structural damage and necessitating immediate closure. Due to the extent of the damage, the bridge cannot safely reopen until permanent repairs are completed. The bridge typically carries an average of 22,099 vehicles per day. Its closure is causing significant adverse impacts on businesses in King and Pierce counties, as well as local tribal businesses, due to reduced traffic.

The detour around the bridge can add up to an hour of travel time.

Today's declarationcovers King and Pierce counties, as well as impacted businesses in Chelan, Kitsap, Kittitas, Lewis, Mason, Snohomish, Thurston and Yakima counties.

Businesses can apply for the low-interest loans online using the MySBA Loan Portal. For further information, impacted businesses can contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center by email at [email protected]or by phone at 1-800-659-2955.

According to the Small Business Administration, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, or EIDLs, provide necessary capital to help small businesses and nonprofits impacted by a disaster survive until normal operations can resume. They are available to businesses in declared disaster areas that cannot cover their normal business expenses and cannot obtain credit elsewhere. EIDLs can be used to cover normal business expenses, like health care premiums, rent or lease payments or utility costs.

White River Bridge repair ahead of schedule

Governor Ferguson declared an emergency in King and Pierce counties on Aug. 27due to the White River Bridge closure. The emergency proclamation allows the state to seek federal funds to reimburse the cost of the repairs.

The Washington State Department of Transportation has been working to repair the bridge since it was struck, including fabricating and installing braces for a temporary repair. This temporary repair was needed in order to stabilize the bridge so permanent repair work could begin.

WSDOT selected Guy F. Atkinson Constructionto make the permanent repair on an emergency contract. At the direction of Governor Ferguson, the contract requires Atkinson to work seven days a week until the bridge is reopened, in an estimated six to eight weeks. WSDOT's goal is to reopen the bridge between Friday, Oct. 31 and Friday, Nov. 14.

WSDOT crews made the temporary repairs, with the contractor starting the permanent repairs on Saturday, Sept. 13.