7:07 PM: Thanks to the texter who just sent word that the “low bridge” has been closed to traffic for about 40 minutes. Checking SDOT via Twitter, they report it’s “closed due to some gate issues” and that it should be fixed soon. Updates as we get them.
10:25 PM: No official SDOT updates since then; we’ve been watching this traffic camera and haven’t seen a vehicle cross.
although this does open the question for the need or necessity for a separate pedestrian or bike bridge over the Duwamish
again? doesn’t sound like they know what’s wrong with it since the last time it was “fixed” a couple weeks ago.
Don’t know if it’s the same kind of problem. Also can’t tell if it’s been fixed – SDOT has not tweeted an update. I’m watching the camera http://www.seattle.gov/trafficcams/images/WS_Bridge_West.jpg and have not seen any vehicles cross, despite multiple refreshes, so I’m thinking it is still closed. Will check in person in a while, since I have to head eastbound on an errand anyway.
Looked like a different problem this time…bike gate stuck open on the western side, bridge stuck closed…barge waiting.
@ches redmond: let’s play a game. You tell me the percent of people that cross the Duwamish on foot or pedal and I’ll tell you if the taxpayers’ cost of of your new bridge is proportional.
really?, not a percentage, but 1.467 bicycles crossed over the Lower Bridge yesterday:
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikecounter_spokane.htm
.
Mike
Average traffic for upper and lower bridges is 104,100 vehicles per day. Average bike traffic is 818 per day. I couldn’t find any statistics for how frequently the bridge opens or for pedestrians. I have to agree that it would not make sense to build a bridge for bikes when we have other issues that impact more people, such as the Metro cuts.
Sources:
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/docs/2012_Traffic_FlowV2.pdf
http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bikecounter_spokane.htm
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