West Seattle Bridge Program Weekly Update: Friday, June 10, 2022

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West Seattle Bridge Weekly Update  

News about the week ahead for the West Seattle Bridge Program.      


West Seattle Bridge is scheduled to reopen as soon as the week of September 12, 2022

Yesterday in our Community Task Force meeting, we announced that the West Seattle Bridge is scheduled to reopen as soon as the week of September 12, 2022 

Since the final structural concrete pour was completed in May, we have worked with the construction contractor to finalize the sequence of the remaining work. We will continue to hold the construction contractor accountable to meet their updated timeframe. 

Remaining repairs for completion of the project require challenging and complex work. We released a tentative schedule in the interest of transparency, and stressed that a project of this scale may still encounter additional unforeseen challenges outside the City’s control. We will continue to provide ongoing construction updates and notify the public if the schedule changes. 

Click above to watch the latest Community Task Force meeting

During the Community Task Force meeting, we also discussed the remaining phases of work for the repair, factors that could potentially impact this updated reopening timeline, updates on low bridge projects, and the winding down of the Reconnect West Seattle Program. For more information, watch the full meeting on YouTube 


High bridge repair: Installing more post-tensioning ducts; more progress on replacement sign structure foundations

high bridge graphic

We installed more post-tensioning ducts inside the bridge this week. As part of the duct installation process, we also build temporary support rigging. The temporary rigging suspends the ducts inside the bridge and keeps them level. This will make it easier to thread post-tensioning cables through the protective ducts in the coming weeks. Once the cables are inside the ducts, we can begin tightening them and remove the temporary support rigging.  

welding ducts

We are welding together sections of ducts to create a continuous, protective casing for the post-tensioning cables. After we install the ducts throughout the bridge, we will begin threading the post-tensioning cables through them. These ducts prevent the tensioned cables from rusting and help ensure that they maintain their tension for decades to come.

rigging

We are installing rigging to support the post-tensioning ducts before tensioning begins. The temporary rigging suspends the ducts inside the bridge and keeps them level. This will make it easier to thread post-tensioning cables through the protective ducts in the coming weeks.

Major maintenance work on the corridor continued this week. We prepared foundation forms for replacement sign structures. We also completed more work on various sections of the Fauntleroy Expressway. Once we are finished removing worn sections of the bridge deck, we will be ready to start pouring new concrete overlay.  

red fabric on bridge

This concrete form for the sign structure foundation is nearly ready for pouring. Replacing the overhead sign structures on the West Seattle Bridge is one of our maintenance work items to prepare the bridge for reopening.

This maintenance work is being done now to make sure we’re ready to open the bridge to traffic once the repairs are completed.   


Weekend Construction in West Seattle

Saturday afternoon between noon and 5 PM, we’ll be striping travel lanes on 17th and SW Henderson St. We'll be extending two crosswalks, installing bike markings, painting barriers, and updating signs. Please anticipate short-term traffic delays as you navigate the area.  

On Saturday and Sunday, we’ll be working on a creating a walkway on Sylvan Way SW between SW Holly St and Sylvan Heights Dr. This work is scheduled to begin as early as 7 AM through 5 PM on both days. Our trucks will be entering and exiting the roadway as we complete this work. Please anticipate slowdowns in the area. 

On Sunday, we will be doing some maintenance work on Dumar Way SW and SW Orchard St. We will begin this work as early as 8 AM and conclude by 4 PM. There will be minimal traffic impacts however you may see our crews in the area. 


Question of the week: What is SDOT doing to get the bridge ready to reopen other than finishing repairs?

In addition to the West Seattle Bridge repairs, we continue with other improvements in preparation for reopening. This includes projects on and near the bridge, such as:  

  • Replacing and installing new overhead signs 
  • Restriping and cleaning up on-ramps (e.g., Delridge Way SW and southbound SR 99) 
  • Replacing 60+ concrete panels east of 35th Ave SW and sealing the concrete panel joints 
  • Installing a concrete overlay on the Fauntleroy Expressway, plus other repaving projects 
new pavement

One of our maintenance work items is pouring new pavement on parts of the West Seattle Bridge and its on-ramps. Before we pour new concrete on the bridge deck, we grind away the top 1/2” of the deck to remove old, worn concrete.

We’ll keep you updated on these improvements in our weekly email on Fridays.  


Other news to know

  • Seattle Transportation Plan: Help reimagine how we move around the city. The Seattle Transportation Plan is our commitment to building a safe, efficient, and affordable transportation system. On the Seattle Transportation Plan Online Engagement Hub, you can take a new survey, come to an upcoming event, and tell us where you see places for change.  
  • Flip Your Trip offers support and free rides to those who live or work in West Seattle. Sign up today at FlipYourTrip.org to receive a special welcome bonus worth $25 in FREE trips you can use on transit, water taxi, and bike/scooter-share (using the Transit GO Ticket app)—as well as the first month free on Metro vanpools, personalized trip planning, informational events, and more.        
  • How does West Seattle shop? Take this University of Washington survey and you may win $50. The University of Washington's Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics Center invites you to take part in a 5-minute survey. Their goal is to understand how people shop, travel to stores, and make online purchases, and how shopping patterns relate to transportation systems. All responses are confidential. 

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