Date:
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Contact:
Harvey Coffman, WSDOT Bridge Preservation Engineer, (360) 570-2556
Jon Higgins, WSDOT Communications, (206) 372-4690
SEATTLE – Analysis of initial structural inspection results from last weekend's inspection of the SR 520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge indicate no change in the bridge's conditions. "One of the main activities during this inspection was to ultrasound test the bridge's midspan, focusing on its vertical guide rollers in the drawspan mechanism. Though we closely monitor the aging structure throughout the year, preliminary review of the data identified no changes at this time," stated WSDOT Bridge Preservation Engineer, Harvey Coffman.
A full annual structural inspection report for the SR 520 bridge will be available in July.
Point of clarification: Much discussed this past weekend were the 6,000 linear feet of cracks in the bridge pontoons. These cracks are not new. They were most likely caused by the 1993 Inaugural Day storm and were then sealed during repairs in the mid-1990s. Bridge engineers continue to monitor the cracks for further leakage.
Media availability: Between 11:30-noon today outside the Seattle Public Library’s 4th Avenue entrance downtown, project and maintenance engineers will be available for media interviews.
During this past weekend's closure, engineers checked the structural integrity of the bridge, inspected targeted electrical and mechanical systems, and performed maintenance work on the draw span. Other maintenance work accomplished throughout the corridor during this closure included removing several dangerous trees, replacing damaged glare foils, repairing expansion joints, deck repair (potholes), drainage work and a variety of other maintenance activities.
This summer’s inspection played an especially important role in keeping the bridge safe and open to traffic, following rough winter storms that forced two separate emergency bridge closures. Last winter, storms damaged a number of the bridge’s draw span components, which have since been replaced or fixed.
Like the Alaskan Way Viaduct, the SR 520 Bridge is vulnerable to earthquakes, but is also susceptible to windstorms and high waves. The SR 520 Evergreen Point Bridge is now reaching the end of its useful life and must be replaced. In 2005, the state Legislature and Governor Gregoire passed the Transportation Partnership bill that provided $500 million for the SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Project. Future tolls will add an additional $700 million to that amount. Additional funding is still needed to fully fund the $3.2 billion project.
For more information visit the project Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR520Bridge.
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