Wednesday afternoon, SDOT used its Twitter account to say the Spokane Street Swing (“low”) Bridge was “closing” – as in, closing to vehicle traffic so marine traffic could get through. We asked if that was a preview of things to come after the 1st Avenue South ramp to the westbound West Seattle (“high”) Bridge closes as of next Monday (part of the Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project) – and indeed, per an announcement this morning, it is. Though the U.S. Coast Guard said no to officially restricting bridge openings during rush hour, this is part of the “voluntary notification” process worked out – read on to see how you can be sure to get these advance warnings:
As previously announced, the First Avenue South on-ramp to the Spokane Street Viaduct will close before the morning commute on Monday, May 17, and the detour will be in place. During the 18 months that a new First Avenue ramp is being built, much of the traffic that would otherwise use the First Avenue Ramp will instead use the low-level Spokane Street swing bridge to get to West Seattle.
SDOT has requested that marine vessels voluntarily provide advance notification when they will require the swing bridge to open, enabling drivers to plan accordingly. When SDOT receives advance notification of an opening to occur during the afternoon peak travel time (3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays), this opening will be announced on the “Dynamic Message Signs” (DMS) now operating at Terminal 5 and at Fourth and Spokane. SDOT staff will also send the message with a specific time, if available, using Twitter. (Sign up to receive the Twitter messages at http://twitter.com/seattledot ) The closure will be posted on the Travelers Information Map on SDOT’s website, http://www.seattle.gov/transportation
If vessels requiring a bridge opening do not provide advance notification, the bridge tender will provide at least 15 minute advance notice enabling SDOT to post the message on the DMS and send a Twitter message at that time.
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