CLOSURE UPDATE: West Seattle ‘low bridge’ repair work continues

4:14 PM: As you’re hopefully well aware by now, the West Seattle “low bridge” – officially, the Spokane Street Swing Bridge – is closed to non-maritime traffic so repairs can be made after a hydraulic-fluid leak. No new estimate for when it’ll reopen – it’s been closed since Wednesday night, with an estimate of “at least a week” – but SDOT has provided another update on the work, with photos, including:

Today, crews repairing the West Seattle Lower Bridge are pulling electrical conduit and casings from the western bridge support machine room.

They need to reach and replace damaged hydraulics that move the west side of the swing bridge – work that will take several days.

The city-provided van shuttles for bicycle riders continue until 7 pm tonight at both approaches to the low bridge, departing approximately every 20 minutes. Riders who would rather try the detour – across the 1st Avenue South Bridge – have two new ways to check it out, thanks to fellow riders:

1. Don Brubeck of West Seattle Bike Connections sent a RideWithGPS map that he and Bill Gobie created, complete with cue sheet – see it here.

2. Robert Sverci made this video with a first-person view of the ride:

The Water Taxi runs 7 days a week this time of year – you can see the West Seattle schedule here. And whatever mode you’re using, you can check area traffic cameras including the high-level bridge on the WSB West Seattle Traffic page.

P.S. Thanks for all the extra tips on traffic problems during the closure – the best way to get info to us instantly, 24/7, is 206-293-6302, text or voice.

ADDED 8:50 PM: The bicycle shuttle is NOT running on the weekend, SDOT clarifies, adding that usage has been fairly low so far. It will resume Monday morning. Meantime, here’s another repair update.

6 Replies to "CLOSURE UPDATE: West Seattle 'low bridge' repair work continues"

  • flimflam June 22, 2018 (6:07 pm)

    how about the city devote some serious money to infrastructure as opposed to “hey look at us” policies?magnolia bridge? no money available, apparently. waste water treatment facility failures? meh… 

    • WSB June 22, 2018 (7:12 pm)

      The wastewater facility that had a big expensive problem, if you are referring to West Point, is a county facility, not a city facility.

  • SGK June 22, 2018 (7:55 pm)

    Thanks for the update and the alternative route.

  • Karen June 22, 2018 (8:26 pm)

    Even as a non-rider I appreciated the route video.  Thanks, Robert.

    • WGA June 22, 2018 (11:44 pm)

      Thanks for the detour video. I have ridden down the Duwamish Trail many many times, but never taken the first Ave route through SODO. Looks a bit dodgy on some of the sidewalks.There have been a few times when the swing bridge was stuck slightly open for up to an hour or so. Now I know the way around!

  • Kathy June 23, 2018 (9:38 am)

    Nice video. It really shows how much the area north of the 1st Ave Bridge desperately needs improvements for people walking and biking. Incredible how many obstacles are placed on the sidewalks. Recently SDOT installed two “No Parking” signs on the sidewalk near my house. I reported it and eventually they moved them to the parking strip (4 different construction visits). It shows just plain disregard for the needs of pedestrians, and especially, visually and physically impaired people.

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