Date:
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Contact:
Archie Allen, WSDOT Bridge Superintendent, 425-739-3700
Kris Olsen, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4475
Suanne Pelley, SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Project, Office: 206-770-3578
Cell: 206-437-5717
SEATTLE – Washington State Department of Transportation crews will close the SR 520 Evergreen Point floating bridge beginning at 11 p.m. Friday, July 11 for its annual inspection and maintenance work. The bridge will reopen at 5 a.m. Monday, July 14. The closure extends from Montlake Boulevard to 92nd Avenue N.E.
During the closure, bridge engineers will use ultrasonic testing on the drawspan’s vertical guide rollers. Similar to an ultrasound, the testing allows engineers to check for flaws and cracks. Crews will also inspect the bridge’s mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems, and make sure the bridge is properly aligned.
“Besides checking the condition of the bridge, we’re also looking for anything that could give us problems during the winter,” said WSDOT Bridge Superintendent Archie Allen. “If we do find something then we have enough time to repair it before the bad winter weather sets in.”
Other crews will be repairing potholes, clean drains, cut back vegetation, paint a catwalk and reseal electrical cover plates to prevent water from seeping into the bridge’s power system.
“Normally this type of work would require a series of lane closures,” said Allen. “Combining the inspection and maintenance increases safety, reduces traffic disruptions and saves taxpayer money by condensing the time required to complete the work.”
Know before you go
There are a number of events around the area this weekend, including the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic which starts at the University of Washington Saturday morning. Drivers should plan ahead and allow extra time for their trips.
WSDOT offers several ways to get construction information and find alternate routes before you leave your home or office.
Since the early 1990s WSDOT has been performing annual summer maintenance on the aging SR 520 bridge. 155,000 to 160,000 people cross the bridge each day.
Built in the 1960s without the benefit of today’s design standards, the Evergreen Point floating bridge is vulnerable to earthquakes and windstorms and needs to be replaced. The new SR 520 with a “4 + 2” lane corridor configuration will keep drivers safer, improve travel-time reliability and provide a new lane for transit and high occupancy vehicles. The new SR 520 floating bridge will support bus rapid transit and the pontoons will be expandable to support future high capacity transit for the region. The new six-lane corridor is scheduled to open in 2016.
For more information about the SR 520 Bridge Replacement project, visit the project Web site at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/SR520Bridge.
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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.
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