The 78-year-old double-leaf bascule bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated a local landmark. However, it is vulnerable to earthquakes and its condition was made worse during the Nisqually Earthquake in February 2001.

In designing the new opening bridge HNTB plans to apply innovations in areas such as bascule pier foundations and seismic engineering. The aim is for design to be completed by the first quarter of 2010. Construction could begin later that year if construction funds are available.