Recent 520 Bridge Closures
July 13, 2007 - 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. July 16
WSDOT bridge crews plan to close the SR 520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge beginning at 11 p.m. Friday, July 13, to perform annual inspections and maintenance work. The closure is extremely weather sensitive this year because crews will also place a test section of quieter pavement on the east side between Medina and Bellevue, and dry weather is crucial for successful installation. Engineers will review forecasts and announce their decision to proceed with the closure or delay the work on Thursday, July 12.
Feb. 22, 2007 - 3 a.m. to 5 a.m.
The bridge was closed to traffic for up to 30 minutes at a time for emergency maintenance. Crews repaired a damaged expansion joint on the bridge drawspan.
Dec. 14, 2006 - 10:05 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 15, 2006
The bridge was closed due to high winds. When crews opened the drawspan, three of the hooks that connect the spans were sheared off by wave action. This is not unusual and is easily repaired. When winds decreased crews started repair work and scanning the bridge for damage.
July 16, 2006 - 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. July 19, 2006
Bridge crews conducted ultrasound scans to examine vulnerable parts in the drawspan and make sure they all remain in working order during the annual summer maintenance closure. WSDOT maintenance and signals crews also completed a range of maintenance activities throughout the corridor.
March 8, 2006 - 5:10 p.m. to 4 a.m. March 9, 2006
Crews closed the bridge after on-site inspectors heard unusual noises. Those noises prompted a closer look inside the mechanical parts of the draw pontoons. They found one bolt sheared off, several loose bolts, and flaking paint which is an indication of weakening steel. They immediately closed the bridge to conduct the safety check and make repairs.
Feb. 22, 2006 – 2 a.m. to 4 a.m.
Bridge closed to vehicle traffic for more inspections and repairs from the Feb. 4 windstorm.
Feb. 16, 2006 – 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. ,
Bridge closed to vehicle traffic for further inspections and repairs from the Feb. 4 windstorm.
Feb. 9, 2006 – 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m.,
Bridge closed for monthly maintenance. Private contractors brought more sophisticated ultrasonic equipment and confirmed the damage to the trunnion beam detected after the Feb. 4 windstorm.
Feb. 4, 2006 – 9a.m. to 2 p.m., Feb. 5
Emergency closure due to wind gusts of up to 67 mph. Crews repaired three drawspan hooks that were torn off during the storm. Bridge crews performed a preliminary ultrasonic test during the closure and detected a small crack in the mechanical equipment for the drawspan (pdf 458kb). The last time the bridge was closed for high winds was March 1999.
Monthly Bridge Maintenance Openings -- Second Thursday of the month - 2:30 a.m. to 5 a.m.
WSDOT bridge crews conducted monthly maintenance work and follow-up tests from 2:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday morning. The bridge was closed to drivers for up to 30 minutes at a time during these closures.