Last month, we reported on the Admiral Neighborhood Association getting a preview of planned additions to Nantes Park (5062 SW Admiral Way). Today, the date was announced for a “community review” of the plans, in the context of an anniversary for the sister-city relationship the park honors. From the city’s announcement:

Mayor Jenny Durkan of Seattle and Mayor Johanna Rolland of Nantes, France signed a joint proclamation committing to a continued partnership between Seattle and Nantes and celebrating 40 years of the Sister-City relationship: “Our cities are places of experimentation and knowledge, incubators of creativity. They can be a source of proposals in many areas. We, the Mayors of Nantes and Seattle, are committed to sharing our experiences, fostering constructive dialogue, working together within the framework of our public policies, by 2030, and developing partnerships between Nantes and Seattle in all areas that can contribute to the well-being of our communities, and respect and protection of the fundamental values of freedom and equality that inspire us.”

The City of Seattle, through Seattle Parks and Recreation and the community, reaffirms its Sister-City relationship with Nantes, France with the launch of the Nantes Park Beautification Project to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Sister-City relationship.

Nantes Park, located at 5062 SW Admiral Way in West Seattle, will get a facelift that includes a paved loop walkway with embedded French art, temporary French art installations and student-submitted art tiles along the seat wall. The project, led by the Seattle-Nantes Sister City Association (SNSCA) in partnership with the Admiral Neighborhood Association and funded by the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, the City of Nantes, the West Seattle Garden Tour and volunteers, will transform the park into a fun, family-friendly, and accessible communal area reflective of the sister-city relationship.

The SNSCA is collaborating with Claude Ponti, beloved and prolific French children’s author and illustrator, on art for the park. Ponti’s experience with the Jardin des Plantes and the Parc de la Beaujoire in Nantes will highlight French-influenced art in the Seattle’s Nantes Park, symbolizing the intersection of the two cultures through the Sister-City relationship. Nantes Park will also represent Ponti’s first art installation to be showcased in the United States.

“We are thrilled to work with Monsieur Ponti. He has created more than a dozen whimsical, interactive works of art in the Jardin des Plantes in Nantes that capture the attention of children and adults alike. Interacting with his fantastical creatures sparks imagination and creative play,” explains Susan Kegel, President of the Seattle-Nantes Sister City Association.

The park will also feature art-tiles lining the seat wall. The art tiles will showcase art submitted by students in Seattle and Nantes who participate in the Passe Partout high school exchange program between the two cities.

A community review is scheduled for Tuesday, March 30th at 7 pm. This is an opportunity for SNSCA to gather feedback on designs and for the community to provide input on the final art installations that will be featured in the park. Please visit the SNSCA website for more information on participating in the community review. …

The Nantes Park project is part of a year-long celebration on both sides of the Atlantic recognizing the 40th anniversary of Seattle’s sister-city relationship with Nantes. This spring, look for the release of a special Seattle-Nantes Sister City beer created in an international colla-beer-ation between Seattle’s Lantern Brewing and Nantes’ Bubar. This celebratory beverage, brewed and bottled in each city from a common recipe, will be a gose-style beer featuring Washington State cranberries and Guérande salt from the Nantes region. To capstone the year-long program, Seattle will welcome the delegation from Nantes in fall 2021 to celebrate the grand re-opening of Nantes Park and discuss ideas for future partnerships.

The Nantes community will be celebrating with a “Seattle Orchard” in the Jardin du Grand Blottereau, a sound installation at le Muséum by La Maison des Etats Unis, film screenings, lectures and much more. …

The link and phone number for participating in next Tuesday’s meeting can be found here.

FOLLOWUP: Will the Class of 2021 get in-person graduations? Maybe

March 25, 2021 12:10 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photo from June 2018 WSHS graduation at Southwest Athletic Complex)

Last month, we reported on local students’ online petition asking Seattle Public Schools to allow in-person high-school graduations, instead of a second year of virtual ceremonies. Since then, the governor has ordered schools to offer some in-person learning to all students, so it’s likely the Class of 2021 will be back on campus to finish out the year. Especially in light of that, is the district reconsidering the graduation plan? After readers emailed us, asking for an update, we took the question to district spokesperson Tim Robinson. He says there’s no final decision yet, but he quotes “one of the key members of the group that is meeting about graduation” as saying: “We are working to adjust to the information that the governor and OSPI sent late last week. We are working to try and get to an in-person graduation with limited numbers of guests. We hope to have an update for school leaders late Friday or early next week.” (Here’s the latest state guidance for outdoor events.)

Share This

Southwest Athletic Complex to be renamed in honor of Nino Cantu

March 25, 2021 11:19 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people | West Seattle schools

Two and a half years after the untimely death of Southwest Athletic Complex grounds/event manager Nino Cantu, a long-sought tribute is close to reality. At last night’s Seattle School Board meeting, a proposal to rename SWAC in his honor was formally introduced. The board heard from Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark and Mr. Cantu’s longtime friend, Denny/Sealth kitchen and loading-dock manager Doree Fazio-Young (the video below should start at the beginning of the meeting presentation, but if not, it’s 4 hours, 21 minutes, 32 seconds in):

As she had during a tribute to Mr. Cantu shortly after his death in October 2018, Fazio-Young spoke of not only his achievements but also his warmth – “he was everybody’s best friend.” Here’s the agenda document with background on the proposal, which was circulated among the Denny IMS and Chief Sealth IHS communities last fall:

After last night’s introduction, the next step is for formal School Board approval April 7th. Then, a sign for the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex will be created and installed, and a community celebration will be planned for halftime at a Chief Sealth football game in the fall.

Share This

WEEKEND ROAD WORK: Repaving planned in two areas

March 25, 2021 10:13 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

From SDOT, heads up on two areas of southeast West Seattle planned for repaving:

On Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28, crews will be repaving 1st Ave S between S Cloverdale and SW Kenyon St from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM each day.

During this work, this section of 1st Ave S will be closed to through traffic. Detour signage will be available to help drivers navigate this closure. People driving should follow the detour signs and use Highway 509 to travel north and south around the area.

Local access to businesses will be maintained, and 1st Ave S will fully reopen after 3:30 PM on Saturday and Sunday.

Also| Paving at the intersection of SW Henderson St and 9th Ave SW:

On Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28, crews will be replacing three concrete panels at the intersection of SW Henderson St and 9th Ave SW. Some parking will be restricted nearby to allow two lanes of traffic to flow normally past the work zone.

Traffic control and parking restrictions will remain in place until early on Monday, March 29, to allow the concrete time to fully harden.

This work is weather-permitting, and we will share updates if the schedule changes. If possible, we ask you to please plan your weekend travels accordingly to detour around this work and avoid the work areas.

SDOT says both are part of the Reconnect West Seattle detour-route work.

Share This

West Seattle Transportation Coalition, WestSide Baby, more for your Thursday

March 25, 2021 9:00 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Alki photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Many ways to connect with your community this afternoon/evening:

STUDENT HEALTH EVENT: The Teen Health Center at West Seattle High School welcomes all SPS students to an event today focusing on meningococcal vaccination – our preview includes info on calling, texting, or emailing for an appointment.

SOUND TRANSIT BOARD: 1:30 pm monthly meeting, with an update on realignment toward the end of the agenda, which includes information on viewing/commenting.

(added) GOVERNOR’S BRIEFING: Not announced until after we’d published this list – Gov. Inslee is having a pandemic briefing at 3:15 pm. Watch here.

DEMONSTRATION: Organizer Scott welcomes you at 16th/Holden, 4 pm-6 pm, to wave signs and support Black lives. If you don’t have a sign, one will be available there.

WESTSIDE BABY ‘BEYOND THE BASICS’: Support the local nonprofit that supports thousands of local children and their families. 5:30 pm event with storytelling, inspiration, and a chance to donate, but registering to attend is free.

WEST SEATTLE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN: 6:30 pm online, with discussion of the Equal Rights Amendment and redistricting. Register by 11 am to get the link; our calendar listing explains how.

WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: 6:30 pm online – here’s the agenda:

Participate via videoconferencing by going here, or by phone via 253-215-8782. In both cases, Meeting ID 831 2486 9091 and Passcode 521762.

MAYORAL CANDIDATE TOWN HALL: Colleen Echohawk is having “town halls” live online for neighborhoods around the city, and 7 pm tonight is her next one, geared toward High Point, Highland Park, Westwood, and Roxhill.

Share This

WEATHER, TRAFFIC, ROAD WORK: Thursday watch

March 25, 2021 6:07 am

| Comments Off on WEATHER, TRAFFIC, ROAD WORK: Thursday watch

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

ADDED 10:46 AM: Police are responding to a report of a crash at West Marginal/Highland Park Way, blocking part of the intersection, involving a semi-truck and a Prius. No major injuries reported so far.
===========

6:07 AM: Good morning! More rain likely today.

ROAD WORK .

Delridge project – Here’s this week’s plan.

Speed humps – Work could start as soon as today on SW Henderson between 10th and 12th.

TRANSIT

Metro is on its changed-for-spring regular schedule

The West Seattle Water Taxi is using the smaller Spirit of Kingston, likely through next week

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

367th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: 11th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily. Here’s a bridge view:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:

To check for bridges’ marine-traffic openings, see the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

Share This

CORONAVIRUS: Wednesday 3/24/2021 roundup

March 24, 2021 10:19 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Tonight’s pandemic news:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Seattle-King County Public Health daily-summary dashboard, the cumulative totals – note that if you look at the SKCPH source page, the “new since yesterday” numbers are wrong again, so the “more than yesterday’s total” numbers below are from our math:

*86,037 people have tested positive, 304 more than yesterday’s total

*1,456 people have died, 1 more than yesterday’s total

*5,241 people have been hospitalized, 9 more than yesterday’s total

*953,472 people have been tested, 2,893 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the four totals we track were 84,574/1,444/5,188/938,453.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find all the numbers, county by county, on the state Department of Health data page,.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them, nation by nation, here.

VACCINATION ELIGIBILITY: The state is reported to have confirmed it plans to comply with the federal mandate to open eligibility to everyone by May 1st. (Everyone 16 and up, that is – so far, there’s still no vaccine approved for children.)

IF YOU’RE ELIGIBLE AND LOOKING FOR AN APPOINTMENT … here are links to try:

*Check for West Seattle city-run site appointments here; sign up for the city’s notification list for all three of its sites here. (Note: Commenters say they’ve been told at this site that if you’re eligible, you can just show up during the day without an appointment. We have not verified that as official policy. We have verified the practice of offering “leftover” vaccine at day’s end – to the oldest people in line first.)
*Health-care providers (particularly bigger ones like UW Medicine, CHI Franciscan, Swedish, Kaiser Permanente, etc.)
*covidwa.com (volunteer-run aggregator)
*The state says it’s improved its own lookup tool
*Here’s another multi-provider search to try
*Pharmacies big and small – Safeway, Rite Aid, QFC, Pharmaca, Costco
*Sea Mar clinics

STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS’ BRIEFING: The weekly briefing by Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah and other top state health officials is scheduled for 9:30 am tomorrow. It’ll be livestreamed here.

PANDEMIC RELIEF: King County Executive Dow Constantine proposed a $600 million spending plan for mostly federal and state funding today.

GOT INFO? Email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com or phone us, text or voice, at 206-293-6302 – thank you!

Share This

ONE NIGHT AWAY: WestSide Baby ‘Beyond the Basics’ Thursday night

March 24, 2021 7:33 pm

| Comments Off on ONE NIGHT AWAY: WestSide Baby ‘Beyond the Basics’ Thursday night

| How to help | West Seattle news

One night to go until your chance to help local kids and their families by partnering with WestSide Baby in going “Beyond the Basics.” The live online event on Thursday night is the largest WS Baby fundraiser of the year – it’s also a celebration of the organization’s work, best known in the beginning for supplying diapers to families in need, but over the years moving to add much more. You can join as early as 5 pm for a pre-func – then at 5:30 pm, it’s the main event, including a conversation between executive director Sarah Cody Roth and storyteller Mia Birdsong. You can register for free by going here. (WSB is among the event’s community co-sponsors.)

Share This

UPDATE: Deadly collision in Georgetown

March 24, 2021 5:57 pm

| 46 COMMENTS

| Georgetown | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

5:57 PM: Thanks to the texter who points out that this will affect people who use Michigan in Georgetown to get between I-5 and the 1st Avenue South Bridge: A deadly crash has closed Corson/Michigan and it’ll likely stay closed for a few hours. Police say the crash involved a semi-truck and pedestrian.

8:16 PM: All lanes are clear. Commenters who were in the area say the victim was a bicycle rider, not a pedestrian; we will update when police release more information about the crash.

ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: As noted in comments, SPD Blotter now has a summary, including confirmation that the victim was riding a bike when hit.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another catalytic converter stolen; 2 back in jail; afternoon arrest

March 24, 2021 5:08 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

ANOTHER CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT: Just got another reader report, from D, who says thieves took the catalytic converter from her 2003 Honda Element in an apartment parking lot near Avalon/Genesee. Elements are a hot target right now – you might recall our recent report about this happening to four in two days, including ours. Catalytic-converter theft is a nationwide problem, the Washington Post explained earlier this month, largely because of low supplies of, and high prices for, a metal called rhodium.

ARRESTED AGAIN: Two familiar names are on the King County Jail roster right now. Repeat mail-theft suspect Jason A. Turner was booked this morning for investigation of theft. We haven’t been able to find out details of the arrest yet. This is his seventh jail booking since the first of the year. He was charged last month with four felony counts of stolen-mail possession. … Also on the jail roster since last night – though it appears he’s in the process of getting released – Jerry S. Plute Jr., one of the two men charged in last month’s Westwood Village burglary. The reason for his booking is listed as a failure-to-appear warrant in a domestic-violence assault case. As reported here last week, he and burglary co-defendant Rafael Meyers did not appear for arraignment in the Westwood Village case two weeks ago but the judge decided not to issue warrants.

ADDED 6:02 PM – AFTERNOON ARREST: A texter asked earlier about a sizable police presence near 35th/Morgan. We went over to check – all gone. But we just received some information from SPD: A person under Department of Corrections supervision had allegedly failed a drug test, a violation of supervision rules, so DOC was searching their vehicle. In it, they found “a Grendel 380 handgun and a small quantity of narcotics,” the summary says, so they called in SPD, which seized those items and arrested the suspect.

Share This

WHALE-WATCHING: Northbound orcas off West Seattle

March 24, 2021 3:04 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Whales

Thanks to Kersti Muul of Salish Wildlife Watch for another alert about whales heading this way – they’re northbound, south of Fauntleroy, right now. These are transient killer whales again. Let us know if you see them!

P.S. Kersti warns of “choppy seas,” so not optimal viewing this time.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Why West Seattle’s city-run site is getting out of the testing business

March 24, 2021 2:25 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Two days after we reported that the Southwest Athletic Complex testing/vaccination site will stop offering testing after next Tuesday (March 30th), the city has officially announced the change. Dropping testing services, the mayor’s office says, will enable another 3,000 vaccinations a week, just as eligibility expands. And the testing demand Is lower – dropping in recent weeks to 200 or fewer per day at West Seattle (with more than 78,000 tests given since it opened). The city says it can scale testing back up if demand increases. The announcement notes, as we did on Monday, that a Curative testing kiosk remains open at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW), with numerous appointments available, and adds the reminder that there’s a drive-through test site in SODO (3820 6th Ave. S.). You can find out more about the city’s vaccination program – including getting on the notification list – by going here, or by calling 206-684-2489.

Share This

ROAD WORK: Next round of West Seattle speed humps

March 24, 2021 1:26 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

Work will start as soon as tomorrow for some of the 70+ new speed humps on the way to Highland Park/South Delridge as part of the Reconnect West Seattle Home Zone plans. The map and announcement are from SDOT:

SDOT will be installing speed humps on SW Henderson St between 10th Ave SW and 12th Ave SW to discourage speeding.

• Construction is anticipated to begin around March 25. The date may change depending on weather and crew availability.

• Work hours are approximately 9 AM to 3 PM to avoid peak commute times.

• We will put up “no park” signs near the speed hump locations in advance of the construction.

• A flagger will direct traffic around speed hump locations while they are being built.

• It will take a few hours to build each speed hump and let them dry/cool down before people can drive on them.

• Temporary chevron markings will be put on the speed humps. They will be replaced with permanent markings after one month once the speed humps fully “cure” (harden).

The full plans for this area and the rest of Highland Park/South Delridge/Riverview were shown at a meeting earlier this month – here’s our coverage.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Yes, West Seattle’s new vehicle-licensing office is still on the road to opening

March 24, 2021 11:29 am

| 17 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

We’ve answered some hotline calls recently from people wondering if the new West Seattle vehicle/vessel-licensing office is still on the way. In our previous coverage, the plan was to have it open in the former liquor-store location on the north side of Westwood Village by March 1st. So we checked back with new sub-agent Randy Lais. He tells WSB, “We are truly disappointed we did not meet the March 1st opening date. Covid has played an enormous role in slowing this process. We are in the final stages of signing the lease for this suite … On my side, we are immediately ready to set this office up to open. Although I do not have a specific date, we are going to work vigorously to have our Grand Opening within 30 to 60 days. The specific date will depend on the expedited coordination between King County, the DoL and our team. We all are working extremely hard to make this happen for everyone.” We first reported last November that Lais had been chosen as the new sub-agent for this area; he already has a licensing agency in Port Orchard. The former West Seattle sub-agent closed at the end of 2019. Meantime, you can handle many transactions online, but if you want to visit a licensing office, the nearest ones are in Georgetown and Burien; the full King County list is here.

Share This

Public safety and public art @ HPAC, and more for your West Seattle Wednesday

March 24, 2021 9:58 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Colorful sunset last week, photographed by Lynn Hall)

Coming up in the hours ahead:

WSHS DONATION DRIVE: Noon-2 pm, as previewed here – West Seattle High School students are collecting food and essential supplies for families. Take donations to the north entrance at 3000 California SW.

SCHOOL BOARD: 3:30 pm, the board’s regular twice-monthly meeting includes items related to in-person learning, such as approval of the new elementary/K-8 schedules, plus other proposals including renaming the Southwest Athletic Complex in honor of longtime grounds manager Nino Cantu. The meeting agenda explains how to watch/listen.

HPAC: 7 pm online meeting of the community council for Highland Park, South Delridge, and Riverview, with two spotlight guests focusing on public art and public safety:

Guest – Kristen Ramirez from the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs will talk about public art being planned in conjunction with the Highland/Holden intersection improvements.

Guest – District 1 Councilmember Lisa Herbold will discuss City Council thinking on Public Safety budgeting and alternative programs being developed to support police work in the community.

The HPAC website has details on how to attend via video or by phone.

CHIEF SEALTH PTSA: 7 pm online, the Chief Sealth International High School PTSA meets, with updates on reopening as well as the organization’s future. Register here to attend.

Share This

WEATHER, TRAFFIC, ROAD WORK: Wednesday watch

March 24, 2021 6:07 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Good morning! Rain and wind in the forecast today.

ROAD WORK .

Delridge project – Here’s where crews are working this week.

TRANSIT

Metro is on its changed-for-spring regular schedule

The West Seattle Water Taxi is running with the smaller Spirit of Kingston, likely through next week

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

366th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: Eleventh week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily. Here’s a bridge view:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:

To check for bridges’ marine-traffic openings, see the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

Share This

CORONAVIRUS: Tuesday 3/23/2021 roundup

March 23, 2021 11:56 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Another anniversary tops our pandemic roundup tonight:

ONE YEAR SINCE ‘STAY HOME’ ORDER: Though the West Seattle Bridge closure might be your most vivid memory from one year ago tonight, there was one other big announcement – at 5:30 pm on March 23, 2020, Gov. Inslee announced the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order. He promised, “This challenge is temporary” – at least two weeks, he speculated. Instead, it lasted two months.

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Checking today’s daily summary from Seattle-King County Public Health – the cumulative totals – we note a glitch on that page; while the totals are updated, the “change from yesterday” numbers were not changed from the previous day, so we’ve done the correct math:

*85,733 people have tested positive, 104 more than yesterday’s total

*1,455 people have died, 3 more than yesterday’s total

*5,232 people have been hospitalized, 12 more than yesterday’s total

*950,579 people have been tested, 1,418 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the totals were 84.416/1,441/5,185/936,284.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

NATIONAL/WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 124.2 million cases worldwide, 29.9 million of them in the U.S. – see other nation-by-nation stats by going here.

CHIEF GETS VACCINATED: Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins was at the city-run Rainier Beach site today to get his first shot:

(SFD photo)

Acting SFD Capt. Brian Wallace administered the shot. More details are on the SFD Fireline site.

IF YOU’RE ELIGIBLE AND LOOKING FOR AN APPOINTMENT … here are the links to try:

*Check for West Seattle city-run site appointments here; sign up for the city’s notification list for all three of its sites here.
*Health-care providers (particularly bigger ones like UW Medicine, CHI Franciscan, Swedish, Kaiser Permanente, etc.)
*covidwa.com (volunteer-run aggregator)\
*The state says it’s improved its own lookup tool
*Here’s another search to try
*Pharmacies big and small – Safeway, Rite Aid, QFC, Pharmaca, Costco
*Sea Mar clinics

LEFTOVERS? The city-run West Seattle site offers leftover vaccine at day’s end to people who are there in hopes of getting lucky – but they sort by age, and so far we haven’t heard of anyone outside their 60s getting vaccinated this way.

IN-PERSON LEARNING: The Seattle Public Schools board meeting tomorrow is likely to have some updates, as well as action items such s approval of the new elementary and K-8 schedules.

GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!

Share This

West Seattle Bridge closure, 1 year later: 5 things happening now

March 23, 2021 8:35 pm

| 46 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

Throughout the day, we’ve been observing the one-year anniversary of the West Seattle Bridge’s sudden, shocking closure. One last report as promised: So what’s happening now?

(Slide from presentation at this month’s Community Task Force meetingO

REPAIR DESIGN: SDOT‘s consulting firm WSP is designing the repair work that is expected to start this fall. The design work reached the 30 percent milestone earlier this month.

ACCEPTING REPAIR BIDS: Along with the design milestone, the city announced that it is accepting bids from prospective contractors to handle work on both the high and low bridges. That process is under way now; the deadline for submissions is April 12th.

SEEKING REPAIR FUNDING: The price tag SDOT has announced for its entire “program” – including high and low bridge repairs and traffic mitigation – is $175 million. When that figure was announced, we asked SDOT for a breakdown of where the money’s coming from, and this was the reply:

SDOT has secured $124M in funding sources, including:

Federal grants ($14.4M for high bridge rehabilitation and $1.5M for Reconnect West Seattle)
Seattle Transportation Benefit District ($8M)
City of Seattle REET-backed bonds ($100M)

We are actively seeking federal grants, such as Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA), and local partnership funding opportunities. We are closely monitoring the development of potential Washington State transportation packages.

INFRA is a federal grant program administered by USDOT. The grant is for highway and freight projects of regional significance. We are requesting $17-21M for the West Seattle Bridge Program.

This new post on SDOT Blog gets into details of the INFRA application, and invites you to sign on to a “community letter” of support.

RECONNECT WEST SEATTLE PROJECTS: On and around the detour routes, SDOT has a long list of small-ish projects it’s working through, from traffic-calming to pothole-filling.

ENCOURAGING MODE-SHIFT: The city also continues to warn that as schools, businesses, and offices reopen, traffic will become unbearable unless some people mode-shift to non-single-occupancy-car travel at least part of the time.

(Bicycle rack on West Seattle Water Taxi – photo by Paul Dieter)

Ideally, the city says, the single-occupancy car’s share of daily travel would be down to 35 percent while the bridge is out – less than half its pre-closure, pre-pandemic 81 percent share.

SO WHEN WILL THE BRIDGE REOPEN? SDOT first said on April 15, 2020, that it didn’t expect the bridge to reopen before 2022. That was 7 months before the mayor’s November 19, 2020 decision to repair rather than replace. Now, four months after that, the estimated reopening date remains “mid-2022.”

Share This