April 2013
- The bridge is now fully open to traffic with two lanes of traffic traveling in each direction. On March 8-10, construction crews removed the concrete barrier down the center of the bridge and restriped the bridge.
- Later this spring, crews will close the bridge again for a weekend to put down a final layer of asphalt. This work can only occur when the ground temperature is 50 degrees or warmer. We anticipate this work will occur in late April or May. Once that work is completed along with the permanent striping and some final landscaping, the project will be completely finished.
- See photos of crews demolishing the old Ebey Slough Bridge (Flickr).
- We said goodbye to the old Ebey Slough Bridge on Thursday, June 14. See photos or watch a video: YouTube or Windows Media. We've also posted some historical photos and documents in the left column of this page.
- Learn more about projects in Snohomish County - sign up for our email updates.
Overview
We will replace the existing two-lane bridge with a wider, four-lane bridge with sidewalks and a bike lane. We will also build retaining walls and an enclosed storm water system for roadway runoff.
Why is WSDOT
making these improvements?
The old bridge was a narrow, “swing-span” bridge that was built in 1925. The bridge was at the end of its service life, and didn't meet current traffic needs in the area. Replacing the bridge will reduce costly temporary repairs and the cost of staffing the bridge.
The Ebey Slough bridge is on the main commuter route for drivers traveling between Marysville and Everett. About 17,000 drivers use this stretch of SR 529 each day. The new fixed-span bridge will eliminate congestion caused by bridge openings. The new bridge will also increase safety for bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers using the bridge.
The End Result
We built a new four-lane, fixed-span, steel bridge to the east of the original. The new bridge features sidewalks and separate bicycle lanes. SR 529 is realigned to meet the new bridge. We also added add a two-way left turn lane just north of the new bridge.
Project Benefits
Safety. The original bridge was at the end of its service life and needed to be upgraded or replaced in order to meet current WSDOT standards. Replacing the bridge with a wider steel bridge is the most cost-effective option. This project will also improve safety for bicyclists and pedestrians using the bridge.
Congestion relief. Eliminating bridge openings will reduce traffic congestion along this commuter route.
Environment. We will improve the aquatic environment in the channel by removing the existing creosote bridge “fender” and “rests.” When fully open, the original bridge sat on these structures in the Ebey Slough. We replaced some of the existing soil around the structures with clean sand. We also built an enclosed storm water system for roadway runoff and a new waterline in cooperation with the City of Marysville.
We have worked extensively with local and federal environmental resource agencies to ensure our work will have minimum impacts to the surrounding environment. To minimize our impacts to environment, work occurred during low tide periods and sometimes during nighttime hours. We worked closely with our contractor to ensure that work was done in a manner that minimized impacts to the environment.
What is the project timeline?
Summer 2006 – We began designing the project.
April 26, 2010 – We advertised the project for competitive bidding.
June 16, 2010 - We awarded the contract to Granite Construction Company, who submitted the most competitive bid.
July 2010 – We began construction.
As of Aug. 1, 2010 - The SR 529 Ebey Slough bridge will no longer open for marine traffic. Affected boats should use the Snohomish River for upstream travel.
April 13-16, 2012 - We moved traffic to the half of the new bridge and permanently closed the old bridge to traffic. Crews are demolishing the existing bridge.
March 10, 2013 - The new bridge fully opened to traffic with two lanes of travel in each direction.
Spring 2013 - We'll complete construction with a final asphalt overlay and installation of permanent striping.
Financial Information
Project signage will reflect the cost of construction engineering, project bid award and sales tax.
| Financial Data for PIN 152908E |
| Funding Source |
Amount ($ in thousands) |
| 2003 Gas Tax (Nickel Funding) |
$0 |
| 2005 Gas Tax (TPA) |
$33,094 |
| Pre-Existing Funds (PEF) |
$2,034 |
| Total |
$35,128 |
|
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Mark Sawyer
WSDOT Construction Project Engineer
Phone: (425) 225-8799
E-mail: sawyerm@wsdot.wa.gov
Kris Olsen
WSDOT Communications
Phone: (206) 440-4704
E-mail: olsenk@wsdot.wa.gov
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