Date:
Friday, June 09, 2006
Contact:
Jamie Holter, WSDOT Communications, (206) 440-4472 (Seattle)
Steve Littlejohn, WSDOT Bridge Maintenance (206) 949-5061 (Seattle)
SEATTLE – WSDOT crews will close the SR 520 floating bridge for its annual inspection and maintenance next weekend. The bridge will be closed from 11 p.m. Friday, June 16 through 5 a.m. Monday, June 19. 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 the I-90 bridge, I-405, and SR 522.
WSDOT recommends drivers know before they go. Drivers can call the 511 driver information line or check traffic flow maps at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle.
This summer’s inspection plays 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 drawspan components, which have since been replaced or fixed. Next weekend, bridge crews will ultrasound to examine these and other vulnerable parts in the drawspan to make sure they all remain in working order.
WSDOT maintenance and signals crews will also complete a range of maintenance activities throughout the corridor.
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 Washington 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 a replacement bridge.
For more information visit the project Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR520Bridge.
###
Drivers can now get real time traffic and weather information by dialing 5-1-1 from most phones. This new traveler information system builds upon the highly successful Washington State Highway hotline that managed 4.6 million calls each year. Callers can also use 5-1-1 to get statewide construction, mountain pass condition, and state ferry system information, as well as toll free numbers for passenger rail and airlines. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.
< Back to News Home