Update: ‘Low bridge’ fixed, reopened

9:02 PM UPDATE: SDOT says the bridge is fixed and reopened. Earlier coverage below:

ORIGINAL 5:51 PM REPORT: No official reports on this so far but we’ve received multiple reports over the past 20 minutes of possible trouble with the “low bridge” – traffic not moving. 6:12 PM UPDATE: Via comments and Facebook, we’re hearing that there’s definitely a malfunction and the low bridge may not be back in working order for at least an hour. We’re on our way to see what we can find out at the scene. 6:17 PM: We’re at the west end of the low bridge and can confirm that it’s blocked off – a police car is parked across the eastbound lanes, lights flashing. 6:37 PM: At the west end – which is blocked off at East Marginal Way – an officer confirmed it’s a bridge malfunction, and that they’re not sure how long it’ll be closed: “They told us an hour, but that was an hour ago.” 7:27 PM: We have an official “traffic advisory” from SDOT now, but it doesn’t say how much longer the closure will continue (we have a followup question out):

The Lower Spokane Street Swing Bridge is currently stuck in the closed position, with its gates down, due to a bridge malfunction. Due to this positioning, the bridge is not available to vehicle/bicycle/pedestrian traffic and cannot allow marine vessels to pass.

Seattle Department of Transportation electricians and bridge crews are en route to the structure to assess the bridge’s malfunction and, if possible, raise the gates to facilitate vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Seattle Police Department officers are already on scene diverting traffic to alternate routes. King County Metro Transit has been notified to re-route busses and the Coast Guard has been notified to alert marine vessels.

7:55 PM UPDATE: SDOT spokesperson Rick Sheridan tells WSB they just don’t know how long it’ll take to fix. But there is one update:

We have manually opened the pedestrian and bike gates, so pedestrians and bicyclists can now cross the bridge. We will not be able to raise the gates for vehicles as the center lock is not currently in place. (It was withdrawn in preparing the bridge to open and the malfunction occurred shortly after that.)

Nancy Stillger March 11, 2010 (5:57 pm)

My husband is a bicycle commuter and called me to tell me that someone got ahold of the city and found there is an electrical problem on the bridge and it could be stuck for 1- 2 hours. Bicycles have taken alternative ways!

WSB March 11, 2010 (6:12 pm)

Thanks. We’re en route to the bridge to see what we can find out in person but we’re getting a few similar reports via other channels … TR

Sandy March 11, 2010 (6:13 pm)

I was two cars from turning onto Spokane Street when SPD came flashing in about 5:30 and told the car in front of me that the bridge was closed. Everyone diverted to E Marginal and over the First Avenue Bridge. The Officer was trying to get the vehicles already on Spokane to turn through the parking lot which was probably a challenge due to all the tents in there now.

J. J. Furlong March 11, 2010 (6:19 pm)

I was a bicyclist heading to West Seattle. Most of us decided to hop the east gate and hand bicycles over that and the west gate — in normal circumstances, the bridge tender would have broadcast his or her displeasure, but not a word was heard. Indeed, an SPD squad car on the west side seemed to not care. That act was a lot quicker than heading down to the First Avenue Bridge.

Kathy Dunn March 11, 2010 (7:12 pm)

I’m the biker who got the SDOT after-hours number by contacting a lovely helpful librarian at West Seattle Library. After learning the bridge would be down 1-2 hrs, I biked toward Spokane Street to put my bike on a bus routed on the high bridge. First I was stopped by one of those slow freight trains between 1st and Alaska Way. Then I realized there are no longer any bus stops at 1st and Spokane! What will become of us after they close the 1st Avenue ramp to the high bridge? We are truly going to be trapped in (or out) of West Seattle.

WSB March 11, 2010 (7:20 pm)

I have an inquiry out to SDOT/Councilmember Rasmussen’s office to see about the status of the request to the Coast Guard to reconsider “don’t open the low bridge at rush hour” during the year and a half-plus that there will be no 1st Ave onramp. They’re all checking – I hope to have the answer tomorrow … TR

Colleen March 11, 2010 (8:01 pm)

Crazy. Thanks Tracy for keeping on top of that request—reading all this seems like the perfect example of the headaches to come if the Cost Guard doesn’t limit the openings.

old timer March 11, 2010 (8:28 pm)

Come on, didn’t we expect this sooner or later?
“The only bridge of it’s kind in the world!”
Should make parts easy to find.

JanS March 11, 2010 (8:36 pm)

more and more I’m so thankful I work at home in the Admiral District :)

Sage March 11, 2010 (8:56 pm)

@Kathy Dunn – I had the same unfortunate surprise the other day that the 1st & Spokane bus stop was gone. I work in SoDo, south of Spokane St., and it’s astonishing just how long it takes to get home by bus now on days when for one reason or another I’m bikeless. The quickest route involves a 20-minute walk and takes about 45 minutes. The trip is about 6 miles. Ridiculous, and sounds sure to get worse…

Jim March 11, 2010 (9:32 pm)

old timer.. I understand the bridge was designed in house at SDOT. The hydraulics package that makes this bridge possible was all designed and built right here in town. It is not the most sophisticated design in the world, but I’m of the opinion the KISS method was employed here. While I don’t know how many lock pins the bridge has, I know they have independent hydraulic units up underneath the bridge surface to operate them. The bridge must have a myriad of electrical interlocks to make all this work. one sensor failure is likely to cause havoc no doubt. After the accidental death on WADOT’s highway 520 draw span, of a commuter during a routine daily test, I’m sure no one at SDOT wants to take any chances.

ad March 11, 2010 (9:34 pm)

I need some clarification to make sure I’m understanding…

The 1st Ave onramp to the big bridge will be closed for 1.5yrs?

So if we’re in SODO it will be a headache to get back because we will only have the low bridge, which often may be open?

WSB March 11, 2010 (9:42 pm)

Yes, exactly.

ad March 11, 2010 (9:53 pm)

Yeeks. Thanks…When does it close?

WSB March 11, 2010 (10:01 pm)

May 17 is the date currently set – it was repeated in the “traffic alerts” roundup link that we reported earlier. And then a month and a half after that the South Park Bridge will close … and today I had a briefing with Metro (story to come tomorrow) on some other things they’re gearing up for … Hate to sound doom and gloomy but it really will be rough going for a couple years. If you work outside WS, start campaigning for a flexible schedule, telecommuting, satellite office … or start your own business and give it time to take off so you can quit the day job in a year or so :) …