SR 520 - Floating Bridge and Landings Project: Step-by-Step Construction

The new SR 520 Floating Bridge will be the longest floating bridge in the world. Building a bridge that sits on the water comes with several highly unusual construction challenges as well as a few advantages.

• Building the floating bridge
• Floating bridge connections
• Floating bridge anchors
• Floating bridge design

The following images describe how the floating bridge will be built.

	Step 1: Build the necessary pontoons, anchors and roadway sections in Aberdeen, Tacoma and Kenmore.
	Step 2: Begin constructing staging area near Medina with construction barges and cranes. Drive temporary piles.
	Step 3: Install anchors for the floating bridge.
	Step 4: Tow pontoons to Lake Washington.
	Step 5: Install cofferdams to build bridge piers for East Approach structure. Move pontoon into staging area.
	Step 6: Build bridge piers in cofferdams and begin pontoon assembly in staging area.
	Step 7: Join supplemental pontoons to longitudinal pontoons at staging area. Begin installation of columns on cross pontoon.
	Step 8: Move assembled pontoons into position. Begin installation of columns on longitudinal pontoon.
	Step 9: Begin installation of superstructure on pontoons. Continue assembling pontoons in staging area.
	Step 10: Complete roadway superstructure in final alignment.
	Step 11: Connect new floating bridge to completed East Approach and west connection bridges.
	Step 12: Shift traffic to new floating bridge. Decommission the existing bridge and remove from Lake Washington.

Note: Images for illustration purpose and are not to scale.

Where will WSDOT connect the new floating bridge?

As shown below, crews will install the new floating bridge north of the existing bridge.

What type of anchors will be used to secure the new floating bridge?

Three different types of anchors will secure the new bridge from shifting during wind and wave action. These types are: fluke anchors, gravity anchors, and drilled shaft anchors.

Fluke anchors

• Dimensions: 35' x 26' x 17.5'
• Weight: 100 tons
• Quantity: 45
• Locations: Deep, soft soils of the lakebed and flat areas
• Manufactured: Kenmore

 

Gravity anchors

• Dimensions: 40' x 40' x 23'
• Weight: 420 tons as built, 587 tons fully loaded
• Quantity: 8
• Locations: Solid soils with sloped topography, typically near shore. Underwater grading and installation of gravel creates a level footing for anchor placement.
• Manufactured: Kenmore

Drilled shaft anchors

• Dimensions: 10' diameter drilled shaft, 79'-92' long
• Quantity: 5
• Locations: Solid soils near shore where gravity anchors may cause navigation hazard.
• Manufactured: Concrete cast in place from a barge on Lake Washington.

 

Questions about floating bridge design?

• View our common questions document (pdf 71 kb) for more information about public involvement in SR 520 floating bridge design and the purpose of key design elements.