Think … snow? West Seattle Bridge temperature-sensor installation

| Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(EDITOR’S NOTE: It has changed twice but as of Thursday afternoon, the Friday ramp closure is now scheduled for 6-9 am, per SDOT)

ORIGINAL 9:23 AM REPORT: A few people have asked about the portable sign around the merge point from 99 to the westbound highrise West Seattle Bridge, warning the Admiral exit will be closed ~~6-9 am~~ on Friday (July 6th). That didn’t match any of the advisories we usually get, so we asked SDOT what it’s about. Spokesperson Peg Nielsen says it’s a short closure for installation of a temperature sensor. You might recall that sensors for bridges around the city were mentioned in Mayor McGinn’s budget speech last fall; they’re expected to help improve the response to wintertime trouble, especially when conditions change quickly, and outside forecast parameters.

4:54 PM UPDATE: SDOT has just sent an official advisory, and the closure times have changed to a window between 9 am and 3 pm Friday:

West Seattle Bridge, Admiral Way Exit
Friday, July 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (expected to be approximately three hours during this period)
*The off-ramp to Admiral Way from the West Seattle Bridge will be closed and traffic will be detoured to harbor Avenue, Avalon Way, SW Manning Street, and back to Admiral Way.

ADDED: A little more info about the sensors, from SDOT’s Marybeth Turner:

They will be installed on a total of 8 elevated structures around the city.

After installing the sensors, we will have to get them connected properly and get any bugs worked out before they will be ready to use

Once they are operating, they will tell us the surface and ambient temperatures.

This info will give real time info to SDOT’s snow/ice responders to help them determine when to apply anti icing liquid or granular salt. The info will also be used for the U of W for the Snow Watch program.

UPDATED 3:17 PM THURSDAY: The closure time is now BACK to 6 am-9 am.

marty July 3, 2012 (1:08 pm)

Here we go again, spending money we don’t have for something we don’t need.

Wahmbulance July 4, 2012 (7:50 am)

Are you new here, Marty? Or are you one of those people who just calls in sick when there’s a hint of snow?

In any event, if you feel that we’re profligate with our money, you’re welcome to move to Colorado Springs. Austerity has worked out so well for them.

Mickymse July 4, 2012 (1:06 pm)

It’s comments like Marty’s that led to cutting snow prep funds “because we don’t need them” more and more each year… until we had a snow like two years ago and no one could move in West Seattle for a few days. And what did everyone complain about and vote out a Mayor for then? Not spending money to be prepared for a big snow event.