VIADUCT-TO-TUNNEL: West Seattle ‘low bridge’ to temporarily restrict maritime openings

| Alaskan Way Viaduct | Highway 99 tunnel | West Seattle news

(March 2010 view of the “low bridge,” from its tower, by then-Councilmember Tom Rasmussen)

With the Alaskan Way Viaduct‘s permanent shutdown and tunnel transition now three weeks away – 10 pm Friday, January 11th – recaps and reminders are rampant. New information continues to emerge, too. In her weekly update, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold includes this:

(T)he U.S. Coast Guard, which regulates bridge openings, has approved a temporary restriction from January 11 to February 9 to limit Spokane Street Bridge openings (i.e. the “lower bridge” adjacent to the West Seattle Bridge). The restrictions will be in place from 7-10 a.m. and 2 to 5 p.m., and prohibit openings for vessels of 5000 or more gross tons (see page 3 of the Coast Guard’s Notice to Mariners).

Though the “low bridge” is a city-owned structure, the Coast Guard has jurisdiction over the waterway’s use for maritime traffic, and it’s generally rejected calls over the past decade-plus for longer-term restrictions on the times when it “closes” to vehicle traffic. The Coast Guard did agree to pm restrictions during the 2011 closure related to demolition of the AWV’s southern section.

Eddie December 22, 2018 (6:36 pm)

Are you sure they aren’t restricting opening for vessels LESS than 5000 gross tons? I would think they’d allow the big commercial guys to pass.

WSB December 22, 2018 (7:33 pm)

Well, the above is a direct cur and paste from CM Herbold’s weekly newsletter. However, here’s the cut/paste from the USCG: ”
The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Spokane Street Bridge (LLNR 16870.1) across the Duwamish Waterway, mile 0.3, in Seattle, WA. The deviation is necessary to accommodate highway traffic during the closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and prior to opening the SR-99 Tunnel. The deviation authorizes the subject bridge to not open to marine vessels, except the draw shall open any time for vessels of 5000 or more gross tons, a vessel towing a vessel of 5000 or more gross tons, and a vessel proceeding to pick up for towing a vessel of 5000 gross tons or greater on the Duwamish Waterway, from 0001 on 11 Jan 2019 to 2359 on 09 Feb 2019. The hours to not open the subject bridge to marine vessels are from 0700 to 1000 and from 1400 to 1700 seven days per week. The deviation is necessary to accommodate highway traffic during the closure of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and prior to opening the SR-99 Tunnel. The bridge will not be required to open, if needed, for vessels engaged in emergency response operations during this closure period if roadway vehicles are on the bridges. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated time period.”

MJ December 23, 2018 (9:21 am)

EddieI saw that too regarding vessel size and figured it to be a typo. Not sure why the evening restriction ends at 1700, 1800 would be better!MJ

Trickycoolj December 23, 2018 (10:49 am)

I bet the really heavy vessels are slow and would keep the bridge open too long. I’ve definitely had to wait a really long time for the crushed car barge to roll through the 1st ave bridges whereas a sailboat or yacht down at the SP bridge goes really fast.

dsa December 23, 2018 (10:52 am)

It seems Herbold got it wrong. “… except the draw shall open any time for vessels of 5000 or more gross tons…”

WSB December 23, 2018 (10:58 am)

I’ll be following up. I’m also curious how many of the current openings would be affected – somebody likely has that data.

WSB December 24, 2018 (5:37 pm)

CM Herbold says, “Good catch!” Eddie is correct, the LNM is correct, and they have updated the online newsletter. I’ll be updating above. Thank you. – TR

Bill December 27, 2018 (3:44 pm)

So I just received an email from WSDOT Stating that once the tunnel was open, there would be no access to downtown from the stadiums all the way to the space needle. How in the hell do we get downtown to go to the market, Benaroya Hall etc.? Just curious as to what we’re going to do about that. Any answers? Solutions? Information? Thanks in advance.

WSB December 27, 2018 (4:04 pm)

That’s not accurate; what specific quote are you referring to? The access to downtown from Highway 99 will be via the Dearborn street ramp, which will open two or three weeks after the tunnel. That’s at the north end of the stadium zone. This might help:
https://westseattleblog.com/2018/06/video-a-tale-of-two-highway-99-closures-this-weekend-and-this-fall-which-will-be-longer-than-youve-heard/

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