Date:
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Contact:
Maureen Sullivan, SR 520 Bridge Project Director (206) 799-0766 (Seattle)
Jon Higgins, SR 520 Bridge Project Communications (206) 464-1184 (Seattle)
SEATTLE - WSDOT crews will close the SR 520 floating bridge for its annual maintenance and inspection work this weekend. The bridge will close at 11 p.m. Friday, July 8 through 5 a.m. Monday, July 11. The closure includes all of SR 520 between Montlake Boulevard NE in Seattle and 92nd Avenue NE on the Eastside. Drivers crossing Lake Washington should use I-90, I-405, and SR 522.
WSDOT recommends drivers know before they go. Drivers can call the 511driver information line or check traffic flow maps at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle before leaving.
WSDOT crews will perform a variety of jobs during this three-day closure. Bridge crews will use ultrasound to check for cracks in the structure, repair deck damage, check expansion joints and do electrical work. WSDOT maintenance crews will re-stripe lanes, replace traffic markers between lanes and replace the glare screens. Survey crews will also be doing preparatory survey work for the design of the new SR 520 bridge.
Like the Alaskan Way Viaduct, the SR 520 facility is vulnerable to earthquakes, but also has a unique susceptibility to windstorms and waves. Today the SR 520 Evergreen Point Bridge is reaching the end of its useful life.
The Washington State Legislature recently passed the Transportation Partnership bill, signed by Governor Gregoire that earmarks $500 million for the SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Project. Future tolls will add an additional $700 million to that amount. Regional funding is still needed to fund the replacement. For more information visit the project Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR520Bridge.
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