On each end there is a “form traveler,” a moving cast structure that is extended out beyond the most-recently-built section.The steel is laid in place in a lattice shape, and then the concrete is poured into the form traveler to form the new segment.

ORDER FOR PICKUP. We are continuing to work with the engineering consultant that recently assessed the cracking on the West Seattle Bridge. Cost $40 for two people (approx.) Copyright (C) 2014-2020, Kevin Schofield. In the case of the West Seattle Bridge, two form travelers were used side-by-side to build parallel box-girders running the length of the bridge.When the two cantilevered sections of the main span of the West Seattle Bridge were nearly complete and had almost met in the middle, the form travelers were removed and one last pour was done to plug the final hole with a “keystone” of sorts and finish the span.Keep in mind: all the weight of that bridge span is supported by post-tensioned steel cables, inside the concrete, tied back to the piers on either side. On a parallel track, SDOT is trying to reduce the share of morning commuters who drive off the West Seattle peninsula, from 81% to 35%, to cope with losing seven lanes on the bridge. If  we must activate the  task force's unified  emergency response,  a  unified command will be led by  the  Seattle Fire Department  (SFD), the Seattle  Department of Transportation (SDOT), the  Seattle Police Department  (SPD),  and USCG. So expect that we will learn more in the coming weeks. Do you believe if would help a cracking scenario?I’ve been investigating that this week.

There’s also been an increase in traffic: it was originally designed to be a 6-lane bridge, but was expanded to seven lanes and often has stop-and-go traffic during rush hour. By late morning Mayor Durkan had approved the plan to close the bridge, and at 7pm it was closed — both for safety’s sake and to reduce the weight load on the bridge to decelerate the cracking (hopefully).You can see from SDOT’s photographs the acceleration of the cracking over the last year — and over the last few weeks.But what is equally informative is looking at where the cracks happened: on either side of the keystone plug, at the most cantilevered parts of the bridge span, farthest away from the piers — where small forces can create the most motion (see the diagram above). SDOT is also making a formal request to restrict bridge openings during peak commute times, which could take several weeks or months to implement.We are looking to provide several alternative routes. Despite these challenges, we are exploring all options to preserve the integrity of the bridge so that we can make the best decision possible for the residents of West Seattle and all who rely on this critical infrastructure. This outcome, without a robust opportunity for public engagement and mitigating surprise, is never one we want and it's our hope that recent efforts to engage West Seattle around existing projects make that clear.
The Low Bridge is currently open to essential workers who get to work by taking transit, walking, and biking. In the first two months after the bridge closure, SDOT implemented 80+ projects on the ground to keep people moving to and through these communities. However, a series of fatalities led to recognition that the aging Spokane Street Viaduct portion was unsafe to be used as a high-speed roadway.From 2008 to 2013, the Spokane Street Viaduct section between Interstate 5 and State Route 99 was rebuilt and widened. A new eastbound off-ramp to 4th Ave S opened August 16, 2010. In addition to signs and pavement markings, our partners at the We acknowledge it is critical for doctors, nurses, researchers and first responders to get to their jobs. One option will be to wrap the outside of that part of the bridge with steel: it’s ugly, but very effective — though it will add even more weight, and more stress on the rest of the cantilevered span. Order delivery online from The Bridge in Seattle instantly with Seamless! In that method, first the bridge columns are built at either end of the span, and then the first piece of the box is built on top of each column (called a “pier table”). phone orders. Search. Through it all, public safety has been, and will remain, our top priority as we determine next steps for the future of the High-Rise Bridge. We did not make this decision lightly, but ultimately we prioritize safety above all else. The number of vehicles in a line of traffic is just as important as the size of each individual vehicle, and so motorcycles could be expected to add to congestion at any intersection, just like cars do.Additionally, we have safety concerns about motorcycles travelling next to large trucks and buses in stop-and-go conditions, especially because congestion would likely increase considerably if more motorcycles used the Low Bridge. SFD  will manage evacuation  and, if  necessary,  rescue  of  people near the bridge. The farther you are away from the fulcrum, the less force you need to create motion.

USCG  will manage maritime  coordination  and communication.

For more information on the Highland Park Area Traffic Safety Improvements, please visit the Sign up to receive updates about the West Seattle Bridge.The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) develops, maintains, and operates a transportation system that promotes the mobility of people and goods, and enhances the quality of life, environment, and economy of Seattle. Future work requiring a bid will be posted on our To help manage traffic during the closure of the West Seattle High Bridge, we installed a temporary signal at Highland Park Way SW and SW Holden Street intersection. We monitor this intersection regularly and will continue making adjustments to improve traffic flow. Yesterday, out of an abundance of caution, we closed West Seattle High-Rise Bridge to all traffic due to accelerated concrete cracking that was identified during a regular bridge inspection. But the West Seattle Bridge was built with a different method, one commonly used over deep ravines or for tall bridges over water where it’s impractical to transport and haul up large prefabricated segments.

In either case, we will need to replace the West Seattle High Rise-Bridge much sooner than promised when it opened in 1984.