Gene Coulon Bridge Replacement Work Begins

RENTON, WA — Renton's Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park will be home to a new pedestrian bridge by spring after work began Monday to replace the existing trestle with a structure that's better for humans and fish alike.

The city completed repairs in 2019 to extend the existing bridge's lifespan by a few years, and recent assessments confirmed it was time for a new structure, officials said. The new steel trestle will utilize special decking to improve conditions for fish below and offer visitors a new way to take in the scenery.

"Replacing the bridge is critical to maintaining the park's much-loved pedestrian trail and connection within the park," the city said on the project's website. "The new clear-span steel bridge will provide a new viewpoint along the pedestrian trail and will include interpretive signage. The project will remove all 58 existing in-water piles and include new light penetrating decking, both to enhance fish habitat."

Closures will impact the park's north end until the project wraps up in March, including access to the existing bridge, north pedestrian entrance, north water walk and finger piers. The tennis courts, boat launch, sailing center and most parking lots will remain open to the public, along with the playground, pavilion, Ivar's and Kidd Valley.

Funding for the project comes from a mixture of sources, including 2019 Renton Park Bond funds, a grant from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, 2019 King County Proposition No. 1 Parks, Recreation, Trails, and Open Space Levy funding.

>> Keep tabs on the project on the city's website.