FOLLOWUP: Andover pedestrian/bicyclist bridge staying closed until after earthquake-safety project

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(SDOT photo)

As first reported here two weeks ago, the Andover pedestrian/bicyclist bridge over the west end of the West Seattle Bridge is closed, and SDOT says today it will stay that way until after its upcoming earthquake-safety work is completed. Today’s update says the work will start next month; Mukilteo-based Combined Construction is the contractor chosen for the levy-funded $1.9 million project, expected to last up to three months. And SDOT promises the 60-year-old bridge will be reopened after the work is done. That work will include “installing new bridge expansion joints, which allow the concrete to naturally expand and contract without cracking, and strengthening the base of the east side of the bridge,” So what about the “illegal activity reported by community members” that SDOT blamed for the early closure? They say they’re “evaluating other long-term options such as fencing, gates, and other security measures to prevent illegal activity on the pedestrian bridge and to reduce trespassing onto the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge.”

NativetoSeattle August 26, 2021 (5:14 pm)

Bummer. This is used for a safer & shorter walking route between North Delridge & Admiral and other parts of West Seattle. My son would use the bridge walking to West Seattle High School which is a great way to start his day. He’ll hop on Metro now instead of walking up Admiral or up Avalon to 35th. I wish there was a way to keep it accessible!

grocerylist August 26, 2021 (5:24 pm)

There’s no illegal activity happening on the pedestrian bridge.

HS August 26, 2021 (7:15 pm)

Well I really hope that WS gets some outstanding access with all the incredible lack of access that seems to be piling up for us. I know that I just lost more business today because of the bridge and the resulting reroutes.

Derek August 26, 2021 (7:24 pm)

This is a joke: I’m so fed up with the city and West Seattle. 3 months??? This is my main walk to a bus stop. They need to reroute a line down 35th into Admiral neighborhood then in the meantime.

Anonymous Coward August 27, 2021 (3:28 am)

How about a temporary at-grade “cross walk” from the end of Andover to Fauntleroy Way? All the city would have to do is hack down the blackberries, cut a couple holes in the existing fence, remove one jersey barrier and perhaps line both sides with temporary fencing… It’s not like there’s any bridge traffic that would be impacted.

Jort August 27, 2021 (11:21 am)

They would rather spend 50 times as much money to install a one-inch-tall “speed hump” to make it look like they’re doing something about bridge detours than help pedestrians walk. When you design a transportation department almost entirely around automobiles and staff it with automobile engineers, this is what happens.
- Joe Z August 27, 2021 (12:15 pm)
  
  Exactly! And while they are at it, there is no reason for there to be a fenced-off urban highway in West Seattle at all. It’s crazy that there is only a single pedestrian connection between the two neighborhoods.
  
  Andover used to be a thru-street until the highway building craze of the early 1960s. You can still find the remnant foundations of houses they bulldozed to build that highway hidden within the blackberry patches. The “West Seattle Freeway” should really be a boulevard with sidewalks, multiple pedestrian crossings, and lower speed limits.

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