WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE: Technical Advisory Panel disbanded

(Photo by Tony Welch)

Though the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force plans to continue meeting, the other advisory group convened by the city after the bridge’s closure has disbanded. SDOT has announced that the Technical Advisory Panel met for the last time in mid-December. Its post also listed the full roster of TAP members:

Stephen Dickenson, PhD, PE, DPE, New Albion Geotechnical, Inc.
Gregg A. Freeby, PE, American Segmental Bridge Institute (ASBI)
Reggie Holt, PE, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Office of Bridges and Structures FHWA Headquarters, Washington DC
Debbie D. Lehmann, PE, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Washington Division Office
Barbara Moffat, PE, SE, Stantec
Scott Phelan, PhD, PE, SE, David Evans and Associates, Inc
Professor John F. Stanton, University of Washington
Adolph Furtado, PE, Lin & Associates, Inc.

Furtado is the only member who wasn’t on the roster announced in May. The TAP’s meetings, unlike the Community Task Force’s meetings, were not open to the public. One other difference: The TAP members were paid, while the CTF members are not. Among other key findings along the way, the TAP issued a memo in July affirming SDOT’s June take that the bridge seemed fixable. What was determined in the ensuing months, before Mayor Jenny Durkan‘s November announcement that repairs would be pursued, was that they were feasible as well as possible.

Derek January 2, 2021 (4:01 am)

So what does this even mean?

heartless January 2, 2021 (10:06 am)

If you follow the SDOT link above it tells you more, but essentially the panel did its job and is no longer needed. The panel was created to inform the repair/replace debate; they did that, and now that Seattle is moving forward with the repair option that panel is redundant.
- David January 2, 2021 (12:05 pm)
  
  I’m a big confused, I can’t seem to find out in my casual digging, WHAT is the actual “fix” that will now take a year? The bridge joints that were locked were unlocked. The outside cracks were sealed. Internally they’ve put in new tensioning cables. What else IS/CAN be done at this point (which will take a year+ to get done)?

PleaseCareMore January 2, 2021 (9:57 am)

If the big technical questions are resolved they need to move on to creating a task force that can address the desperately needed improvements to detours, low bridge hours and timing of road repairs because the current situation is untenable for commuters. One would think this group would have been formed earlier but clearly residents are not a priority and we are reminded of this every single day when we commute. Prioritizing the low bridge cameras to penalize drivers over improving bridge hours for residents is just one example of the way the City would rather monetize the crisis than find relief for residents.

WSB January 2, 2021 (10:16 am)

There IS a low-bridge group, as we have reported multiple times (and also noted here). Mostly a subcommittee of the Community Task Force but with a few additional members. As noted in the low-bridge announcement report: “SDOT will be monitoring Low Bridge traffic volumes in early 2021 after the new enforcement system is turned on. If traffic data shows us that there is room to expand access, we will work with the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force to recommend a balanced approach for Low Bridge access.”
- Tim Danger January 2, 2021 (10:51 am)
  
  What is the latest on photo enforcement on the lower bridge.. now in effect?
  - WSB January 2, 2021 (10:57 am)
    
    As announced this past week, starts 1/11
    https://westseattleblog.com/2020/12/west-seattle-low-bridge-camera-ticketing-starts-january-11th/
wetone January 2, 2021 (2:32 pm)

I very much agree with your comment on lower bridge hours. There is absolutely no reason SDOT and city needs to close off to cars and light trucks 5am-9pm, NONE. Bridge deck is plenty wide for emergency vehicles to get through with cars/trucks being in east/west lanes. I agree that during commute times it should be dedicated to bus, van pool, heavy trucks, but times should be more like 7am- 6:30pm. Possibly it should be open mid-day also 10am-2pm as there is very little traffic traveling across bridge at that time. Very easy to do with new camera setup. These are my and many others observations with watching traffic patterns from Harbor Island and WS side. I truly believe much of the low bridge bs hours is more to do with politics from city, SDOT, port of Seattle and special interest groups, than having any COMMON SENSE with helping those needing to commute or travel in/out of WS. It’s all about changing peoples driving habits/lives and penalizing those that need to use there vehicles…. as city knows best ;)
- Bikecommuter January 2, 2021 (4:27 pm)
  
  I for one appreciate less noise and air pollution whilst riding my bicycle over the low bridge; keep the restrictions as they are!
  - wscommuter January 2, 2021 (9:47 pm)
    
    As a fellow bike commuter, I nonetheless find your comment senseless. The low bridge restrictions are too draconian and create too much pressure on Highland and W. Marginal. The poorer air quality especially in Highland Park due to the increased congested traffic waiting for lights to change is not worth it – the low bridge should be opened up for greater capacity during non-peak hours. I can only take your comment as trolling by another anti-car zealot.
    - Bikecommuter January 3, 2021 (1:05 pm)
      
      I’m not anti-car, I have three, I just don’t let my life revolve around the their use. When I do drive, I plan ahead and consider the detour and traffic. I also don’t think there is some nefarious motivate driving SDOTs decision to restrict traffic on the bridge and will respect, despite the inconvenience, the restrictions they have in place.
- Care2 January 4, 2021 (11:46 am)
  
  Prefab mid bridge replacement is preferable. In the mean while, 7PM to 6AM lower bridge general public usage is a great option. West Seattle people is feeling deprived by now.

Charles January 2, 2021 (10:12 am)

I suffered through the 5 years of detours and delays of the original design and construction for the bridge. Now it is falling apart. Take the whole thing down and return the steel bascule bridge. It worked. There is no large ship traffic up the Duwamish now that could take it out.

Thnki January 2, 2021 (11:58 am)

Take the whole thing down and return the land to the Duwamish people! Let them build a toll bridge if they want.
Mark47n January 3, 2021 (2:00 pm)

That is not true. There are large ships that transit the Duwamish that carry bulk material as well as large barges for shipping containers. Additionally, if we returned to the bascule bridge it would be subject to openings for any marine traffic that required it. Any, at virtually any time. The city cannot limit those times in anyway as it far, far outside of the cities purview and thank FSM for that!

Brian January 2, 2021 (1:59 pm)

Meanwhile up in British Columbia they are planning to expand capacity of the Fraser River crossing and replace the 60 year old 4 lane tunnel, which is over 2000′ long, we could have a similar tunnel that would only have to be 500′ long. The proposed 8 lane bridge was put on hold to see if another 8 lane tunnel could be rebuild along the same corridor at less cost and in less time. This assessment is ongoing. Details here, https://engage.gov.bc.ca/masseytunnel/overview/ The reports of the alternatives are here https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/george-massey-tunnel-replacement-business-casePerhaps we can learn from them how to get across big rivers with similar challenges of economic use on the waterway, an important fishery in the river, large commuting demand for freight, and people in cars and transit. We could have so much more, and it might not be as expensive and time consuming as a new bridge. Something to think about.

Mark47n January 3, 2021 (2:02 pm)

That is not true. There are large ships that transit the Duwamish that carry bulk material as well as large barges for shipping containers. Additionally, if we returned to the bascule bridge it would be subject to openings for any marine traffic that required it. Any, at virtually any time. The city cannot limit those times in anyway as it far, far outside of the cities purview and thank FSM for that!

Sorry, comment time is over.