Date:
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Contact:
CONTACT: 24-Hour On-Call PIO, WSDOT Communications, (206) 437-6314 (Seattle)
SEATTLE - The State Route 520 Bridge over Lake Washington remained closed Wednesday night after high winds damaged bolts that secure a beam in the bridge’s drawspan.
“We’re doing everything we can to make repairs and open the bridge in time for the Thursday morning commute,” Assistant Regional Administrator for Traffic and Operations Dave McCormick said.
The bridge is closed between Montlake Boulevard NE in Seattle and 92nd Avenue NE on the Eastside. WSDOT recommends drivers use alternate routes, including Interstate 90.
WSDOT maintenance crews discovered the damage at about 5 p.m Wednesday during a windstorm-related inspection. It appears that high winds created enough force to sever bolts that secure one of the trunion beams that stabilizes the bridge’s drawspan. After discovering the damage crews closed the bridge to traffic. They then opened the drawspan to relieve pressure and prevent additional damage.
Crews inspected the bridge last Monday afternoon and found no damage.
For updated closure, repair and traffic information WSDOT encourages drivers to visit our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov <http://www.wsdot.wa.gov> or call the 5-1-1 traveler information line. Should repairs take longer than expected and the bridge stays closed into the morning commute cross-lake drivers should allow extra travel time Thursday morning. WSDOT will update 5-1-1 and our Web site as conditions change.
The 2005 Transportation Partnership Act designated $500 million to the SR 520 Bridge Replacement Project. Additional funding is expected to be contributed through future toll revenues from the bridge and from proceeds of a regional transportation funding package to be presented for a future vote of the people. For more information on the SR 520 bridge replacement project, visit the project Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR520Bridge.
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