News about the week ahead for the West Seattle Bridge Program.
As crews enter the final stages of the West Seattle Bridge repair effort, we have announced that recent construction milestones have been completed as planned and we expect to reopen the bridge on Sunday, September 18.
This will depend on the successful completion of remaining work including a final set of epoxy injections and carbon fiber wrapping, paving, installing safety inspection platforms inside the bridge, and robust safety testing. All restrictions on the Spokane St Swing Bridge (also known as the West Seattle low bridge) will end on the same day.
Read the full announcement on the SDOT Blog.
 A graphic of work status updates on the West Seattle High Bridge. Visit our website for full details.
We continued progress on the final phase of epoxy crack injection and carbon-fiber wrapping this week. As we complete a section of carbon-fiber wrap work on the underside of the bridge, we move on to the next section by shifting work platforms along the rigging lines we installed last winter.
After we finish the remaining epoxy and carbon-fiber work, and after epoxy polymer infused in the carbon-fiber sheets has cured, we will be able to lower and remove the work platforms from the bridge.
 Working from the platforms postitioned on the underside of the bridge, crews continue their progress on the final phase of carbon-fiber wrap work
We also sealed the post-tensioning system this week by injecting a grout compound into the post-tensioning ducts that contain the tightened cables. By filling the ducts with grout, we protect the steel cables from air and moisture, which prevents them from rusting. After filling the ducts with grout, crew members welded the ends of the post-tensioning anchors.
 The grout compound is pumped from the above machine down through the bridge deck and into the post-tensioning ducts, where it will envelope the steel cables and prevent them from rusting.
We made more progress on maintenance work and other activities needed to reopen the bridge. This work included more concrete pouring for the new overlay on the Fauntleroy Expressway, wire installation for the lights on the bridge, and continued assembly of the permanent inspection platforms that will be installed inside the bridge’s girders.
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Completed: Let the post-tensioning concrete set and cure
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Completed: Install post-tensioning ducts
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Completed: Pre-tensioning epoxy injections and carbon-fiber wrapping
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Completed: Install post-tensioning strands
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Completed: Tension post-tensioning strands
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In-Progress: Complete final epoxy injections and carbon-fiber wrapping
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To do: Complete cure time for the carbon-fiber wrapping
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To do: Remove work platforms
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To do: Load test and inspect the repairs
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To do: Restore the bridge deck
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To do: Demobilize the site
As part of our Reconnect West Seattle program, on Saturday between 7 AM and 5 PM, we’re paving 8th Ave S from S Kenyon St to S Portland St in South Park. We will restrict parking and maintain one lane of traffic in each direction. People driving should expect delays while the lanes are closed.
On Saturday and Sunday, we will be working in south Delridge at 16th Ave SW and SW Cambridge St to update curb bulbs and curb ramps. Work will begin as early as 8 AM and conclude by 5 PM. We’ll maintain one lane of traffic in each direction. Please anticipate delays and navigate the area with caution.
On Sunday, we’re completing two maintenance projects with work expected to begin as early as 5:30 AM and conclude by 5 PM. Please anticipate delays, drive safely in work zones, and follow directions from signs and flaggers.
- To complete safety and maintenance upgrades, we'll be pouring a concrete pad for a new center barrier on SW Spokane St in the vicinity of 11th Ave SW that will impact the eastbound direction. This is east of the Spokane St Swing Bridge (low bridge). Traffic impacts include closure of the East Marginal Way S and the lower SW Spokane St ramps.There will be a detour in place for those traveling in the area.
- To improve visibility due to overgrowth, we’ll be cleaning the planting strip located on the westbound side of SW Roxbury St between 9th Ave SW and 14th Ave SW. We will close the westbound curb lane, so people driving can expect delays.
This week, we began paving on SW Andover St between 26th Ave SW and 28th Ave SW to repair pavement. The paving creates extra space where we’ll also build a protected bike lane to fill a gap in the West Seattle bike network. The new bike lane will connect the neighborhood greenway on 26th Ave SW to the bike lanes on SW Avalon Way. The map below shows the paving and bike lane location on SW Andover St and SW Yancy Street.
 A map showing the paving and bike lane location on SW Andover St and SW Yancy Street.
We began paving earlier this week and expect to have the work completed this fall. Throughout the project, people can expect to see temporary no parking signs placed 72 hours in advance and will not have access to parking during construction hours, which are weekdays, 9 AM to 3 PM. There is a possibility that work might occur on the weekend and, if so, those work hours will be from 8 AM to 5 PM. We will inform the public if work is happening during the weekend.
Once the West Seattle Bridge reopens, all restrictions on the Spokane St Bridge (West Seattle Low Bridge) will be removed. We will be turning off and removing the cameras used for automated photo enforcement. Until the bridge reopens, please continue to avoid the low bridge unless authorized.
As a reminder, the restrictions are:
 A graphic showing the low bridge restricted hours.
- Low bridge is closed to most vehicles weekdays from 5 AM to 9 PM and weekends 8 AM to 9 PM Unauthorized vehicles will receive a $75 ticket for every trip across the bridge.
- Low bridge is open to everyone weeknights from 9 PM to 5 AM and weekends from 9 PM to 8 AM
- Low bridge pedestrian path is open all days and all hours for people walking, rolling, using an electric foot scooter, or biking.
Visit our Low Bridge Access page for more information.
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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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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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