Replacing the bridge
Bridge design
Intersection design
Bridge construction
Why does the bridge need to be replaced?
The existing Manette Bridge is both structurally deficient and functionally obsolete. The structural deficiencies are of a magnitude that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will not allow the use of federal funds for rehabilitation of the bridge. The most significant structural deficiency is a condition present in the concrete bridge piers called Alkali Silica Reaction (ASR). Simply put, this condition causes the concrete to split apart as a result of a chemical reaction between the cement and the aggregate (rocks). There is no known practical means to rehabilitate this problem.
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How much will the new bridge cost?
The cost estimate for the bridge replacement project ranges from $60 to $101 million. This large range is the result of risks that the project is subject to. The “base” (no risk) cost estimate is $64 million.
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Where does money to replace the bridge come from?
The project is funded through the statewide Bridge Preservation Program. The majority of funding for the project comes from the federal government.
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What will the new bridge look like?
The new bridge will be made of concrete and will have variable depth – “haunched” – girders that provide the spans an arched appearance. The haunch will be parabolic (curved) in shape rather than straight lines. This will provide a smoother arch appearance than the Warren Avenue Bridge. The bridge will have seven spans, five of which will be equal length. Each of the six in-water piers will have two columns. View a drawing of the new bridge.
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Will there be decorative architectural treatments on the new bridge?
Yes. At the top of each pier there will be a section of concrete 8 feet wide by 12 feet high. There will be twelve of these areas on the new bridge (six on each side). A compass rose design was selected by the City of Bremerton and will be cast into the concrete in these areas. View a drawing of the compass rose design.
In each of the bridge spans there will be two “closure pour” locations between concrete girders. There will be 24 of these areas on the new bridge (12 on each side). These locations provide another opportunity for the design to be cast into the concrete. The compass rose design will also be applied at these locations.
The public was invited to submit suggestions for the design element at a May 2009 open house. From the suggestions submitted, the City of Bremerton selected the compass rose design. Additionally, the City of Bremerton adopted a suggestion to paint portions of the new bridge railing green to commemorate the 1930 bridge.
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Will there be sidewalks on the new bridge?
Yes. The new bridge has a 12-foot-wide sidewalk on the south side of the bridge. There are also and five-foot-wide shoulders on each side of the bridge.
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Will there be streetlights on the new bridge?
Yes, there will be streetlights on the new bridge. The type of lights and their spacing and placement is undetermined at this time.
The City of Bremerton has indicated they would like to have decorative style streetlights, similar to those currently in the Whitey Domstad viewscape on the Manette side of the bridge. If this can be done, it’s likely these lights would only be along the south side of the bridge, on the bridge barrier.
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Will there be decorative lighting on the new bridge?
Conduits will be installed in the bridge structure that could be used in the future for a decorative lighting system. Electrical connections and hangers will be installed along the south side of the bridge for use with holiday lights in the winter.
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What is the design for the intersection on the downtown Bremerton side of the bridge?
The Bremerton-side intersection will have a traffic signal and the same lane configuration as it does now. The intersection will be moved slightly south of the current location.
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What is the design for the intersection on the Manette side of the bridge?
The City of Bremerton has requested a roundabout at the intersection Wheaton Way and Harkins Street in Manette. View a video of the proposed design.
A roundabout intersection at Harkins Street and Wheaton Way requires closing Shore Drive between Harkins Street and East 11th Street. A roundabout connection to Shore Drive would be too steep.
Closing Shore Drive between Harkins Street and East 11th Street also allows the restoration of the Whitney Domstad viewscape to be extended into this area.
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Why build a roundabout rather than a traditional intersection with a traffic signal at the Manette end of the bridge?
The roundabout will safely and efficiently move motor vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic through the intersection.
As traffic volumes will increase at this intersection, eventually a traffic signal would be needed if rebuilt in the existing configuration. A single-lane roundabout is well-suited to current and expected future traffic volumes.
The center portion of the roundabout provides a space for welcoming bridge users to the Manette neighborhood.
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Will the Whitey Domstad viewscape remain after the new bridge is built?
Yes. After the new bridge is finished, the viewscape will be rebuilt slightly south of its current location. View before and after images.
Construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Wheaton Way and Harkins Street requires closing Shore Drive between Harkins Street and East 11th Street, allowing the restored viewscape to be extended into this area.
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When will construction start, and when does the new bridge open to traffic?
On-site construction is expected to start in mid-to late 2010. The new bridge is scheduled to be open to traffic in late 2012 or early 2013.
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Will the existing bridge be open during construction?
The existing bridge will be open to traffic during the majority of new bridge construction. A closure estimated at three to five months will occur when the new end spans are built. This is necessary because the new end spans overlap the existing end spans. We believe the bridge can remain open to pedestrian traffic during this period. We’re evaluating this further to ensure it can be done safely.
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Will more buildings be demolished for the project?
No. Right of way was needed from one private property for the new bridge. That property was purchased and the building (a red multi-family residence on Washington Ave.) has been demolished.
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How will the bridge be built without harming the environment?
This starts in the design phase. During the design process we have been interacting with representatives of environmental resource agencies to define the necessary work and appropriate methods to avoid environmental harm. Project compliance with both the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is required. Several discipline area studies have been completed in support of SEPA and NEPA approval for the project.
Permits will be obtained from several environmental resource agencies before the construction can start. Issuing agencies include the Washington State Department of Ecology, WA Dept of Fish & Wildlife, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and the City of Bremerton. The permits issued will include specific conditions that the project must comply with in order to avoid environmental harm.
Industry standard best management practices will be employed throughout the construction phase to avoid harm to the environment. Extensive monitoring will be conducted during the construction phase to ensure the project work is conducted in compliance with permit conditions.
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What happens to the 1930 bridge after the new bridge is open?
The 1930 bridge will be demolished once the new bridge is open to traffic. The method of demolition will be determined by the contractor, in compliance with the project’s permits. All of the existing bridge, including the concrete piers, will be removed from the site. Explosives will not be used to demolish the 1930 bridge.
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Can the 1930 bridge be used as a pedestrian bridge after the new bridge is open?
No. The deteriorated structural condition of the existing bridge is such that it must be removed after opening the new bridge. If left in place, the existing bridge would present a real risk to the new bridge during a major earthquake. The new bridge will have a 12-foot-wide sidewalk for pedestrians and two five-foot-wide shoulders for bicyclists.
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