After three weeks caught in its waterway-priority place, the Spokane Road Swing Bridge to West Seattle might be usable once more this afternoon. SDOT famous in an announcement that it must be absolutely open by 2 p.m. at the moment (Friday).
That is improbable information for individuals who have confronted a really lengthy detour through the first Avenue Bridge a number of miles south in Georgetown ever for the reason that swing bridge broke through the winter storm within the days earlier than Christmas.
Sadly, this additionally means the tip of the first Ave S emergency bike lanes, which made biking between Georgetown and Spokane Road protected and cozy for the primary time in trendy reminiscence. I hope town gathered helpful information from the experiment concerning its influence (or lack thereof) on visitors, automobile speeds and bike volumes. Seattle Bike Weblog has argued for bike lanes on 1st Ave S for the reason that growth of the Bicycle Grasp Plan in 2012–14, and having the chance to expertise them solely solidifies their potential. SDOT employees and Mayor Bruce Harrell deserve numerous credit score for constructing one thing fairly extraordinary in only a few days. Lots of people labored laborious, together with through the holidays, to make that occur.
You continue to have one closing night to go trip the lanes your self earlier than crews take away them Saturday. They make Georgetown and different 1st Ave companies really feel a lot extra accessible and related.
The town is not going to be eradicating the Duwamish Path connection alongside the west facet of West Marginal Method SW, which related the Alki Path close to the Spokane Road Bridge to the Duwamish Longhouse and the Duwamish Path. This path connection has been within the works for years and has already gone via numerous public outreach. It was almost carried out within the weeks after the higher West Seattle Bridge closure, however the Jenny Durkan administration selected to delay it. So whereas this Spokane Road Bridge closure has been tough, a related Duwamish Path is a wonderful parting reward.
Following profitable repairs and testing of the Spokane St Swing Bridge (low bridge), the bridge reopens this afternoon, Friday, Jan. 13. Crews have already begun eradicating fencing and visitors management tools across the bridge, and anticipate to complete eradicating indicators and barricades by 2 PM.
By way of in depth collaboration and lengthy hours, we made main progress over the previous 21 days to deliver the low bridge again into operation. This effort included constructing a cradle to efficiently take away a broken 15,000-pound cylinder, repairing underground conduit, and changing valves and hoses on the jap bridge span’s hydraulic energy unit (HPU). We additionally accomplished reprograming and testing of the bridge’s movable spans utilizing one much less cylinder, to make sure protected and efficient operations.
We’ll replace this weblog submit as quickly because the bridge is reopened, and share an replace on Twitter at @seattledot. Thanks.
Whereas we anticipate the reopened bridge to function safely and successfully, if points come up with the newly put in tools, we’re even higher ready. And don’t overlook, we have now extra work deliberate this yr as a part of the Spokane St Swing Bridge Rehabilitation Program. We’ll proceed to share updates about upcoming work and closures.
Non permanent bike detour replace
With the low bridge reopening at the moment to folks biking, strolling, rolling, and driving, we are going to take away the momentary bike detour route on 1st Ave S, as deliberate. This may happen on Saturday, Jan. 14. With greater than 1,700 visitors cones and lots of of indicators concerned, finishing this all-day work on a Saturday is safer each for our crews and the touring public, and avoids conflicting with weekday peak visitors.
Nonetheless, we are going to hold the momentary protected bike lane alongside West Marginal Method SW in its present configuration, together with the massive orange barrels presently marking the route, and proceed conversations with close by companies and neighborhood members a few protected bike lane on this location.
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