February 2013
- Traffic will be reduced to two northbound lanes and one southbound lane between South Nevada Street and the West Seattle Bridge from Feb. 25 through June 2014.
- Download our flyer to put on your refrigerator.
- We will demolish and rebuild one half of the overpass at a time.
- The timber-supported overpass was built in 1957, five years earlier than Seattle's section of Interstate 5.
- See photos of the overpass.
The 470-foot-long bridge was built in 1959 as a temporary structure. Crews will replace this temporary bridge with a permanent structure made with Geofoam blocks, lightweight, Styrom-foam material capped with concrete.
The SR 99 Spokane Street Overcrossing (overpass) is located just south of the West Seattle Bridge and the Spokane Street Viaduct. During construction, crews will shift traffic and reduce the number of travel lanes on this section of SR 99 around-the-clock as they rebuild one half of the southern approach at a time. This bridge is also known as the SR 99 timber bridge.
When the work is done, the 470-foot span will be a new, stronger structure with a concrete and Geofoam embankment and an access opening for the Port of Seattle. Underground concrete columns and other upgrades will improve the footing of the approach and preserve this well-traveled section of Seattle's SR 99 for years to come.
Why is WSDOT
replacing the southern approach to the SR 99 Spokane Street Overcrossing?
This section of the SR 99 Spokane Street overpass was built in the late 1950s. The timber supports are splitting and rotting, and are now considered obsolete.
Replacing the timber section with a concrete and Geofoam embankment and adding underground columns to strengthen the footing will help the approach better withstand earthquakes.
What the heck is Geofoam?
Geofoam, aka expanded polystyrene, is a lightweight fill that will not decompose or decay. It looks pretty much like Styrofoam packing material, but it’s stronger and denser to withstand the rigors of construction.
On average, Geofoam is 100 times lighter than most soils and 20-30 times lighter than other fill materials. We will cap the Geofoam embankment with concrete.
The End Result
When the project is complete, the Geofoam and concrete embankment will better withstand earthquakes and resist damage, making for a stronger, safer bridge approach.
WSDOT also will build a new underpass opening just north of the approach for a future Port of Seattle freight access road to East Marginal Way S.
Bicycle and pedestrian access
Nearby sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks will not be affected during construction. For information on any future bicycle or pedestrian access improvements on East Marginal Way South and the surrounding area, please contact the City of Seattle at (206) 684-7583 or walkandbike@seattle.gov.
Project Benefits
Replacing the timber-supported approach with a concrete embankment helps the structure better withstand earthquakes. Additional project benefits include:
- Installing new barrier - Enhances safety for motorists.
- Installing energy efficient lighting - Provides maximum visibility with minimum energy consumption.
- Removing chemically treated timber - The timber supports were treated with a chemical wood preservative called creosote. Removing the creosote-treated timbers improves the environment and eliminates the threat of the wooden beams catching fire.
- Improving drainage - Upgrading the drainage system helps prevent drains from clogging, reducing the need for future maintenance.
These benefits protect drivers and keep traffic flowing on this key route into downtown Seattle.
What is the project timeline?
- Nov. 29: Awarded to Midmountain Contractors, Inc.
- February 2013: Construction begins.
- June 2014: Expected completion.
Financial Information
Project signage will reflect the cost of construction engineering, project bid award and sales tax.
Construction award: $9.2 million
Total funding: $17.6 million
Funding sources: Federal and state matching funds, gas taxes, Transportation Partnership Account and the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Broch Bender
WSDOT Communications
206-440-4699
Benderb@wsdot.wa.gov
Hien Trinh
WSDOT Project Engineer - Construction
425-956-2100
TrinhH@wsdot.wa.gov
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