News about the week ahead for the West Seattle Bridge Program.
Earlier this week, we announced that we completed tightening the post-tensioning cables inside the bridge. This major construction milestone was the final step of a long and complex process to install a new post-tensioning system across the 3 spans of the bridge structure.
 We use hydraulic equipment to tighten the metal strands of the post-tensioning system. This process compresses the concrete in the bridge to make it stronger and prevent future cracking.
With the bridge’s concrete compressed and stronger than ever, we can move to the next item on our reopening checklist, which is to begin the final phase of epoxy crack injection and carbon-fiber wrapping. This process will take several weeks.
This week, we began surface preparation for epoxy crack injection on the bridge’s girders. This is the process of filling small cracks with an epoxy compound using a high-pressure pump to help prevent existing cracks from expanding. We needed to wait for the structure’s concrete to be compressed by the new post-tensioning system before sealing these specific sections of cracks on the bridge.
We also made additional progress on major maintenance this week. We installed a new overhead sign structure and completed more concrete pours for the panel replacements on the bridge’s western approach.
 As part of major maintenance work, we are replacing the overhead sign structures on the West Seattle Bridge. These structures hold the directional signage that you see while driving across the bridge.
Starting at 5 PM Saturday, July 30, we’ll close the on-ramp to the Spokane St Viaduct from eastbound SW Spokane St , and the eastbound lanes of the Spokane St Viaduct. Detour signs will be in place along S Spokane St. All lanes will reopen by 5 AM, Monday, August 1. The closure is needed to install signs, complete road striping, and build new bridge expansion joints.
 Saturday night through Monday morning, we’re closing the eastbound lanes of the Spokane St Viaduct to install signs, complete road striping, and build new bridge expansion joints.
On Saturday, we’ll be working in the area of 37th Ave SW and Fauntleroy Way SW in West Seattle to finish curb ramp construction as part of our ADA program. We anticipate work to begin as early as 6 AM and conclude by 4 PM. People traveling in the area may experience minor impacts and delays.
On Saturday and Sunday, we'll be working on a Reconnect West Seattle project at 16th Ave SW and SW Cambridge St to update curb bulbs and curb ramps. We’ll maintain traffic throughout the area, but people driving can expect delays.
On Sunday, we’ll be working on a home zone project in Georgetown to install wheel stops on 6th Ave S from S Michigan St to S Lucile St in Georgetown. This work will formalize the street with a block of walkway for people walking and biking. We anticipate minimal impacts to traffic as the work will mainly be done from the parking lanes.
Flip Your Trip is a program that offers support and free transit rides to those who live or work in West Seattle and the Duwamish Valley. Join more than 10,000 of your neighbors and 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). You’ll also be eligible for the first month free on Metro vanpools, personalized trip planning, informational events, and more.
 Sal the Salmon rides the bus while listening to a song on her favorite pair of headphones. Photo credit: SDOT
Learn more about Flip Your Trip at the program website.
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This summer as part of the Delridge Rapid Ride H Line project between downtown and Burien, we’ll be making several smaller remaining improvements with our partner King County Metro to ensure the changes we’ve already completed are working well. Read the latest email update for more information about the work you can expect to see along the corridor. To learn more about the Delridge RapidRide H Line project, please visit the website.
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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.
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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