Interstate 5 Puyallup River Bridge

The I-5 Puyallup River Bridge in Tacoma, WA, is part of WSDOT’s Portland Avenue to Port of Tacoma Road HOV improvement project. Designed and built by Atkinson Construction and Jacobs, the bridge required long-span prestressed concrete girders spanning the Puyallup River and multiple active rail lines.

Concrete Technology Corporation fabricated a record-setting 223-ft prestressed concrete girder — the longest single-piece prestressed girder produced in the U.S. at the time.

By incorporating Stalite expanded slate lightweight aggregate, the team reduced girder weight by approximately 20%, enabling transport and erection within regional hauling limits while maintaining high-strength performance.

This project highlights the structural and logistical advantages of lightweight concrete in long-span bridge construction.