Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan joined the Seattle Department of Transportation to celebrate the final phase of West Seattle Bridge repairs during a press conference on Monday.
The start of the last phase of repairs means the bridge is on schedule to reopen at full strength next year.
“Since March 2020, our city has faced unprecedented challenges, including the closure of the West Seattle Bridge,” Durkan said. “After the important work to stabilize the bridge then design the specialized repairs, SDOT is starting the final repair phase of the West Seattle Bridge. Because of the work at SDOT, the end is in sight to reopen the bridge in the coming months. This is an important milestone for our residents, commuters, and businesses as we urgently work to reconnect West Seattle to the greater region.”
Repairs to the bridge have been ongoing since it was closed in March 2020 after SDOT engineers found stress cracks in the bridge that were in danger of becoming severe enough to deteriorate the strength of the bridge’s support columns.
According to the SDOT, stabilization repairs were finished in 2020. Construction crews are now returning to the bridge to repair it and prepare it for reopening, scheduled for spring 2022. The SDOT is also adding epoxy and carbon fiber wrap to the Spokane St. Swing Bridge to fill any existing cracks and further strengthen that bridge.
“All of this work has only been possible through our partnerships – including with funding partners like the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Port of Seattle, as well as local funding allocated by the City Council,” said SDOT Director Sam Zimbabwe. “We know the impact this closure has on the community, and it is our responsibility to work with urgency to safely complete repairs on the bridge so that it can be a vital transportation connection again.”