Press Release
June 13, 2023
Parks to hold ribbon cutting for new Littell Bridge on Willapa Hills Trail
OLYMPIA – June 13, 2023 – Plan your next adventure along the Willapa Hills Trail and explore the brand-new multi-use Littell Bridge near the Adna Trailhead.
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Parks) is pleased to announce the completion of the Littell Bridge. The new bridge gives trail-goers a safe crossing over State Route 6 (SR 6) as they explore the long-distance trail on foot, bike or horseback.
The community is invited to come out and celebrate during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 23. Then, get out and enjoy the beauty of the Willapa Hills Trail with Lewis County Community Trails at its annual Ride the Willapa event on June 24.
The new bridge was built through a collaborative process between Parks and the local community to address safety concerns at the intersection of the trail and SR 6. The old intersection required users to navigate a crossing that was at the same grade as the highway in an area with limited sight distance. Now, trail-goers have an overpass, so they don't have to pause their journey to look for traffic.
With completion of this project, the trail is safe and usable from its eastmost trailhead in Chehalis and westward on to Pe Ell and beyond.
Parks hosted public meetings and invited trail users to weigh in on bridge designs, aesthetics and alignments. Together, the group decided on a weathering steel bridge with a concrete surface that curves over the highway. The design of the bridge also pays homage to the local area. The concrete on the bridge piers is stamped with the word “Littell” to recognize the unincorporated community in Lewis County where the bridge is located.
This project was possible thanks to the hard work of Parks' contractor Tapani Inc. of Battle Ground, design consultant Otak Inc. of Vancouver and the support of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
Parks would also like to thank the residents who neighbor the trail for their patience throughout the construction process and the Lewis County Community Trails for their support of the project and their continued stewardship of the Willapa Hills Trail.
Willapa Hills Trail Bridge Ribbon Cutting ceremony
When: June 23 at 3 p.m.
Who: The public is invited to come celebrate. A quorum of commissioners will be in attendance at this event. There will be no decisions or actions taken by the commission
Getting there: Park at the Adna Trailhead and bike one mile to the ribbon cutting
Willapa Hills Trail – Adna Trailhead
About the Willapa Hills Trail
The Willapa Hills Trail is one of five long-distance trails managed by Parks. It is 56 miles long and relatively flat. The trail is a key segment in the cross-state trail network that spans from the Idaho border to the shores of Willapa Bay. The Willapa Hills Trail represents the western segment of the overall system.
News media contact:
Sarah Fronk, Communications Manager, media@parks.wa.gov
About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Park Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.