April 2013
Crews place final anchors for new floating bridge on Lake Washington
What's happening now on the Floating Bridge and Landings Project?
SR 520 open houses
- Thanks for joining us at the February open houses in Seattle and Bellevue!
- Open house materials are posted in our Project Library.
The SR 520 Floating Bridge and Landings project replaces the existing floating bridge and approaches from the future west approach structure east of Foster Island in Seattle to Evergreen Point Road in Medina.
This project is the first construction phase of the SR 520 - I-5 to Medina: Bridge Replacement and HOV Project.
Why is WSDOT
replacing the SR 520 floating bridge and landings?
After nearly 50 years, the floating bridge is showing its age. The bridge's pontoons have become vulnerable to windstorms and its support columns are vulnerable to earthquakes.
Additionally, the existing bridge only has two lanes in each direction, no shoulders and no HOV lanes. Adding transit/HOV lanes, shoulders and a bicycle/pedestrian path will provide greater reliability and more options for regional traffic growth.
The bicycle/pedstrian path also connects regional trails on either side of Lake Washington creating additional recreation opportunities.
The End Result
- A safer structure that is resistant to windstorms up to 89 mph.
- Two general-purpose lanes and one transit/HOV lane in each direction.
- Wider, safer shoulders that will allow vehicles to pull over in the case of a breakdown.
- A 14-foot-wide bicycle and pedestrian path on the north side of the bridge.
- Ability to accommodate future light rail if the region chooses to fund it in the future.
Project Benefits
- Except for occasional short-term closures, SR 520 will remain open through construction of the new floating bridge.
- The new floating bridge will improve transit reliability and travel times.
- Building components of the bridge in Grays Harbor, Tacoma and Kenmore provides hundreds of jobs throughout Western Washington.
What is the project timeline?
- Early 2012 - Began pontoon construction in Tacoma, and roadway deck segment and anchor construction in Kenmore.
- Spring 2012 - Began bridge construction on eastern shore of Lake Washington.
- Late 2014 - Target date to open new floating bridge to drivers.
- Summer 2015 - Contract date to open new floating bridge to drivers.
Financial Information
Project signage will reflect the cost of construction engineering, project bid award and sales tax.
This project is funded by a variety of state and federal sources, including SR 520 tolling that began in December 2011.
Visit the SR 520 Costs, Funding and Tolling page for additional information.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
E-mail: SR520bridge@wsdot.wa.gov
Construction Hotline: 425-576-7098
Infoline: 1-888-520-NEWS (6397)
Mail: I-5 to Medina: Bridge Replacement and HOV Project
SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program
999 3rd Avenue, Suite 900
Seattle, WA 98104
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