News about the week ahead for the West Seattle Bridge Program.
This week, we finished installing the nearly 250,000 feet of steel cable needed for the new post-tensioning system inside the bridge. With these cables in place inside the protective ducts, we started the process of tightening the post-tensioning system by pulling on the cables with hydraulic equipment.
We’ll begin the tensioning process by tightening each steel cable to about 20% of its final tension force. Next, we will tighten each cable in a specific sequence to ensure that the bridge structure is compressed evenly and consistently throughout the process. Once the cables are fully tensioned, the concrete in the bridge structure will be stronger than ever. The next step will be to begin our final phase of epoxy crack injection and carbon-fiber wrapping work.
 We inserted rods and tightened them into a concrete anchor block. This further strengthens the concrete and prepares it for the forces of the post-tensioning that will make the high bridge stronger.
 Steel cable is installed through protective ducts as part of the West Seattle Bridge’s newest post-tensioning system.
We are also continuing to reinforce the post-tensioning anchor components by inserting and tightening rods into the concrete anchors. This strengthens the connection between the post-tensioning system and the surrounding structure.
As we move through these final phases of repairs, we continuously inspect the bridge and check our work. Earlier this month during a routine crack inspection, we discovered a spall area that was about 2 by 9 feet. Spalling is when a part of the concrete surface naturally weathers, chips or breaks away. After looking into the spall, it’s clear that it is not related to the issues that are currently being repaired and it does not indicate any structural or systemic issues. We will be able to repair this spall with no impact to the bridge reopening schedule.
Last weekend, we successfully hoisted the final two platforms to the underside of the low bridge’s western span. This effort is part of our low bridge rehabilitation work that will strengthen the low bridge to keep it strong for years to come.
We will begin epoxy crack injection and carbon-fiber wrapping to reinforce the concrete on the low bridge in the coming months. This is the same concrete strengthening method we’ve been using on the high bridge.
On Saturday, July 16, between 6 AM and 2 PM, we’re paving near the intersection of Myers Way S and Olson Pl SW. The northbound lanes will be reduced to a single lane during this work and people driving should expect delays while the lane is closed.
Also on Saturday, July 16 between 7 AM and 5 PM, we’ll continue updating the traffic signal at 7th Ave S and S Cloverdale St in South Park. We’ll need to turn off the signal for a period of time on Saturday to complete this work. When the signal is turned off, we’ll have a uniformed police officer directing traffic. People driving can expect long delays.
Starting Monday, July 18 through the remainder of next week, you can expect nighttime work as we perform overhead work on the bridge. These impacts include:
- Detours for those using SW Spokane Street between Delridge Way SW and SW Avalon Way (between 10 PM and 5 AM).
- Lane reduction on southbound W Marginal Way SW between 17th Ave SW and Chelan Ave SW (between 7 PM and 6 AM).
- Detours for those accessing westbound SW Spokane Street at East Marginal Way S (between 10 PM and 5 AM)
As you travel around West Seattle and the Duwamish Valley, please slow down, follow any signs and detours, and watch carefully for people walking and biking.
 Trucks parked along the street in Seattle.
Do you live or work in South Park? The City of Seattle and Port of Seattle/The Northwest Seaport Alliance will be addressing the issues related to Port truck parking in your neighborhood. Join us and let your voice be heard.
¿Trabaja o vive en South Park? City of Seattle y Port of Seattle/The Northwest Seaport Alliance abordarán los temas relacionados al estacionamiento de camiones del puerto en su vecindario. Acompáñenos y permita que su voz sea escuchada.
South Park Meeting / Reunión en South Park
Monday, July 18
6 – 7:30 PM
Duwamish River Community Hub
8600 14th Ave S
*Food will be provided at the in-person events / *Se ofrecerá alimentación en los eventos presenciales
Please contact westseattlebridge@seattle.gov or call (206) 400-7511 if you have accessibility needs or would like to request translations. Si tiene necesidades especiales o requiere interpretación (traducción), por favor contacte a westseattlebridge@seattle.gov o llame al (206) 400-7511.
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) operates a pump station in the north end of Alki Beach Park near 1411 Alki Ave SW, which is essential for moving sewage and stormwater to the treatment plant. In recent years, this pump station has experienced a significant increase in flows and needs an upgrade. SPU is proactively making improvements to this critical infrastructure to reduce the risk of failure and to provide reliable sewer services to our customers.
 Pump Station 38 is in West Seattle’s Alki Beach Park, along the Alki Trail.
In addition to upgrading the pump station, SPU is collaborating with the City of Seattle’s Office of Arts and Culture to install artwork in the area around the pump station. The artwork, inspired by an early topographical map, seeks to create an engaging and thoughtful space that highlights the history of Indigenous communities and their relationship to the land and waterways surrounding West Seattle. The artwork is being funded through the City’s 1% for Art program.
To learn more about this work, please visit the project webpage and sign up for the email list to receive project updates. If you have questions about the project, please reach out to Jonathan Brown, Project Manager, at jonathan.brown@seattle.gov.
Yes. In late 2021, we published a study that examined replacement concepts once the West Seattle Bridge is due for replacement in the coming decades.
We expect the repaired West Seattle Bridge to serve the community for several decades, and we are prepared to discuss a replacement as we near the end of the current bridge’s service life around 2060.
Read more details about the West Seattle Bridge Replacement Study on the project webpage.
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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.
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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.
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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.
If you or someone you know wants to talk with us, give feedback, or could benefit from having this information read to them in another language, please call (206) 400-7511.
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