Spokane St Swing Bridge (low bridge) control and communications system upgrades scheduled for April 19-28, 2024
Anticipated one-week closure during this time
Summary:
- Planning, design, and construction for the initial phase of the Spokane St Swing Bridge Rehabilitation Program took place from 2020 to 2022.
- Subsequent phases of this work will continue into 2025.
- The work taking place in April 2024 will be to upgrade the current control and communications system.
- The control system activation work taking place in April will require rerouting the control tower wires from the high bridge to a new conduit beneath the West Duwamish Waterway.
The Spokane St Swing Bridge, commonly known as the low bridge, serves as a crucial link across the West Duwamish Waterway, especially for pedestrians and bicyclists. It's also an essential route for truck drivers and workers who need access to Northwest Seaport Alliance's Terminal 5. This structure was built in 1991 and must open about 1,500 times annually to accommodate marine vessels. The Spokane St Swing Bridge Rehabilitation Program's initial phase, including planning, design, and construction, was carried out from 2020 to 2022. Additional phases of this project are expected to continue through 2025.
From April 19 through April 28, crews will reroute the control tower wires from the high bridge to a new conduit beneath the West Duwamish Waterway that connects to the motors that open and close the bridge. This operation will require closing the low bridge for people driving, biking, and walking for about one week. We will share more details about the timing of this upcoming closure as planning efforts continue.
To support travelers impacted by the closure, and to help make transit access easier and more affordable, we’ve partnered with King County Metro to make it even easier to ride the bus or West Seattle Water Taxi with Transit Go Tickets throughout the closure. This offer will provide a daily round trip over the Duwamish while the bridge is closed. To access the offer, follow the directions below using the Transit Go Ticket app and rewards code LOWBRIDGE24. This code will become active on April 19, 2024. The fares are funded by the Seattle Transit Measure, which was passed by voters in 2020.
 The Communications System runs along the bridge currently. We want to change this.
 When our work is complete, the communication line will run underneath the Duwamish River.
Our work will be vital to keep the bridge reliably operating today and in the future. We use the control system to open and close the low bridge. The original system of buttons, switches, and wires is about 30 years old. Our work will involve rerouting the control tower wires from the high bridge to a new conduit beneath the West Duwamish Waterway that connects to the motors that open and close the bridge. This work will increase the resiliency of the West Seattle Bridge system and help separate the low bridge from the high bridge.
The system includes computers that control the machinery that lifts and swings the spans and activates the gates that prevent traffic and people from crossing when the low bridge is open. It also includes the communication lines that connect the computers, control tower, and the moving parts to one another.
Here’s how you can stay informed:
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