WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE: SDOT announces September 18th reopening date

(WSB photo, Tuesday, looking west at part of the bridge repair-work zone)

Two months ago, SDOT announced it expected to reopen the West Seattle Bridge “the week of September 12th.” (That was a revision from the previous “midyear” estimate, first cited in early 2021.) Since the “week of September 12th” announcement, they’ve stuck to that projected timeframe, with a promise that they’d get specific with about a month’s notice.

This morning, they’ve finally announced a specific date: Sunday, September 18th, which will be five days short of exactly 2 1/2 years since the bridge’s sudden closure on March 23, 2020 because of growing cracks. Today’s announcement was foreshadowed two days ago, when we toured the repair-work zone atop the bridge with SDOT and learned from project director Heather Marx that this would be the day they’d announce a date. Today’s announcement also contains this caveat regarding the September 18th reopening date: “This will depend on the successful completion of remaining work, including finishing epoxy injections, carbon fiber wrapping, paving, safety inspection platform installation, and robust safety testing.”

(Photo by Mike Burns, looking north from Andover foot/bike overpass)

(Our Tuesday report includes details of what’s happening now and what’s yet to come.) Today’s announcement (read it in full here) also notes, as has been reported multiple times, “All restrictions on the Spokane St. Swing Bridge (also known as the West Seattle low bridge) will end on the same day” that the high bridge reopens.

WS Resident August 11, 2022 (10:35 am)

I’ll believe it when I see it.

Beto August 11, 2022 (11:02 am)

I agree with you 100%.
Josh August 11, 2022 (1:47 pm)

I came here just to read the believe it when I see it crowd. I love your skepticism but worry about how it affects your overall health. Moderation in all things, even cynicism.
- Jim August 11, 2022 (2:08 pm)
  
  With respect, few projects of this scope ever finish on time or even on updated time. Too many impossible to foresee variables. That’s not cynicism, that’ ;s practical experience. Forcing something to proceed due to a firm schedule and concern about PR gets you things like the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.
  - Josh August 11, 2022 (8:12 pm)
    
    With respect, you should look up the definition of words and common synonyms before you try to correct someone. My point still stands. It’s good to have a wait and see attitude and take decrees with a grain of salt, but boiling about things that are out of your control does not bring faster, effective resolution and likely just stresses you out.
    - heyalki August 12, 2022 (7:32 am)
      
      And how does bickering with strangers online about trivial things affect your overall health?
Common Sense August 11, 2022 (1:48 pm)

I won $50. My wife bet me they would open it sooner than Sep. 12th to score PR points. I’m willing to bet double or nothing it won’t open by the 18th.
- moo August 12, 2022 (7:04 am)
  
  I lost my bet. My wife said there was no way in hell it would open before September 12th. Her prize is dinner at Salty’s with appetizers, dinner, champagne and dessert which is going go cost me $$$, but I’ll be supporting a great local business that has been dramatically impacted by the closure and delays.

Edward August 11, 2022 (10:39 am)

It’s a Sunday, that’s not horrible. It also tracks with the week of statement. That gives a weekend day to notice anything negative and let the madness begin on Monday. My only issue is SPS starts on the 7th so we have to endure a tad longer with really bad traffic.

WS Commuter August 11, 2022 (10:39 am)

Good news. The end is in sight.

gw August 11, 2022 (10:44 am)

Feels like that’s the “week of September 18th” then….. disappointed they missed again, and are still hedging. Feels like there’s still a lot of work that could have been done sooner (putting up signs, not letting the road get overgrown) instead of blaming the concrete strike.

nwpolitico August 11, 2022 (12:31 pm)

I agree, as many of those things (sign installation/replacement, vegetation management, graffiti removal) could’ve been done at a much larger scale as basic maintenance before there was even a contract in place to reopen the bridge.
- Jim P. August 11, 2022 (2:10 pm)
  
  I would respectfully suggest they did not yet know if the bridge could be reopened at all so doing all that would be a waste.There was considerable argument in favor of just replacing it.
  - nwpolitico August 11, 2022 (4:59 pm)
    
    Jim, I agree with your assessment. I was referring to the about five month period between when the stabilization effort was completed in late 2020 and when the contractor for the final phase was selected in spring 2022. During that period, the decision to repair instead of replace had already been made.

Jordan August 11, 2022 (10:45 am)

And what happens, if by some miracle and to the shock of thousands of residents of West Seattle, they actually get the work done earlier?

MW August 11, 2022 (11:17 am)

Earlier? They’ve already passed any time that could be called “earlier”. What about the anticipated mid- 2022? Considering that years have passed, they are already in the very late category. Any date between now and Sept 18 would be “less late”.
- JB August 12, 2022 (7:18 am)
  
  So agree! Why they try to console us with faailed reopening dates annoys me. They could easily say “plan to reopen in 2024” and any reopen date before then would be applauded. Sadly, I bet doing that would have delayed reopening til 2025.
  
  PS – I intend to keep going the round about way and let you all test it out for a month or so for me. Even then, my little shortcuts and no traffic the temporary route may be quicker!
Pigeon Point RN August 11, 2022 (2:39 pm)

Pretty sure the ‘earlier’ ship sailed a long time ago.

Steven August 11, 2022 (10:49 am)

In other words, we are still hoping for 9/18, but that could also change.

still waiting to exhale August 11, 2022 (10:50 am)

OK then. If they’re sure…..

JTM August 11, 2022 (10:50 am)

I’ll believe it when I’m driving over it.

D August 11, 2022 (10:55 am)

It’s been so long that I forgot we had a West Seattle Bridge… What am I going to do with all the reclaimed commute time?

fish August 11, 2022 (10:56 am)

I’m sure this will be a short-lived stress test period.

Watertowerjim August 11, 2022 (11:03 am)

Everyone south of Morgan please continue to take the alternate routes – they should be wide open!Thanks in advance! ;-)

WSB August 11, 2022 (12:02 pm)

Speaking as a south of Morgan resident, some of those have always been more convenient anyway, especially for SODO access. What we did learn during this time is that getting to Bellevue for health appointments (closest place HMO offers certain services) is actually quicker via 509 to ~~516~~ 518 to 405 than bridge to I-5 to I-90. Who knew?
- Jeepney August 11, 2022 (12:11 pm)
  
  My thoughts exactly. I have a few alternate “secret” routes in and out of WS that I used and my commute was only impacted by about 5 minutes each day.
- Svenry August 11, 2022 (1:56 pm)
  
  Is 518 slow enough at times that dropping down to 516 really is faster? I’m still learning as a newbie to WS.
  - WSB August 11, 2022 (2:02 pm)
    
    Thanks for the indirect correction. Looking at the map, I guess I meant 518. Or described without numbers, we take 509 to the Burien exit where you turn left to head toward Sea-Tac Airport.
- WestSeaResident August 12, 2022 (1:17 pm)
  
  Or 599 straight to 405 via I-5, going around the backup from Highland Park to 99 or taking Myers Way down to the 599 intersection. That leaves out 518.
jsparra August 11, 2022 (2:01 pm)

spoken like a true Admiral snob…Those ALT routes suck and have for 2.5 years.
Peter August 11, 2022 (2:44 pm)

Been doing that for six years.
Mellow Kitty August 11, 2022 (3:14 pm)

Wow. What an entitled comment. Get over yourself. Thanks in advance ;-)
Gatewood Gus August 11, 2022 (5:42 pm)

Folks who live South of Morgan already know how to get around without inconveniencing you, thank you very much.

James August 11, 2022 (11:13 am)

Great that’s the day it’ll be loud next to my house again. Not excited.

K August 11, 2022 (12:08 pm)

Aww, poor baby. Maybe research better next time you buy a house? Seriously, zero sympathy dude…
- Harold August 11, 2022 (2:32 pm)
  
  K, you seem like a guy I definitely would not get a beer with.

KT August 11, 2022 (11:20 am)

Monumental effort? My Grandma could have done it faster.

Accidental Island No More August 11, 2022 (11:28 am)

Hey, even if they don’t hit the 9/18 mark, we will have our bridge back soon. We’ve stuck it out 2-1/2 years, we can wait a little longer if we must. I still wish SDOT would let us celebrate the reopening, as this community deserves.

Duffy August 11, 2022 (12:43 pm)

You can celebrate at your local watering hole with a 6 pack of Corona and some party hats. Not everything needs to be a celebration. There really isn’t anything worth celebrating here. The completion of an emergency infrastructure project…wahoo.
- Jort August 11, 2022 (1:26 pm)
  
  Sitting in traffic an extra 10 or 20 minutes is not an “emergency.” It’s an inconvenience.
  - My two cents August 11, 2022 (4:11 pm)
    
    Jort – was the infrastructure project planned? No. Was it repaired on an expedited schedule? Yes. Was this a surprise issue and fix? Yes. Is it really a stretch to use the word “emergency” in this case and context?

Azimuth August 11, 2022 (11:31 am)

I’d love to see a study on traffic volumes on West Marginal, Highland Park/Holden, Roxbury, and the 1st Ave Bridge change the months before and after the re-opening. Even a simple line graph would be interesting.

WSB August 11, 2022 (11:57 am)

Those have been part of slide decks from meetings we’ve covered along the way.

935 August 11, 2022 (11:36 am)

I ask this question with ALL the skepticism SDOT deserves.

Is that September 18, 2022?

WSB August 11, 2022 (11:56 am)

Yes.
The news release further specifies “Sunday, September 18.”
The next time that specific day/date pair would appear is 2033.
- PatWS August 11, 2022 (1:00 pm)
  
  😆😆 Good one, WSB! Excellent research. You really are the best.❤️
- 935 August 11, 2022 (2:51 pm)
  
  Hey – misprints happen!
  
  I’d like to trust SDOT – But I’ve been disappointed by them too many times.
  
  ‘Fool me once shame on you. Fool me twice- shame on me’

CR August 11, 2022 (11:38 am)

So when this all started one of the first things the City did was install a sophisticated monitoring system to look at how the bridge was moving or cracks were changing. Do we know if they still have that monitoring system in place and have they ever shared any of that info with the public?

WSB August 11, 2022 (11:50 am)

Yes, we’ve mentioned the monitoring system several times, and the “inspection platforms” are related – see the piles of yellow girders in our Tuesday report. The full paragraph from today’s announcement: “In addition to repairing the bridge, we have installed an intelligent monitoring system inside the bridge made up of hundreds of movement sensors, cameras, and other instruments. This system can detect subtle movements or any growth of existing cracks. It monitors the bridge 24/7 and provides real-time details and alerts to staff who oversee the performance of bridge repairs. Permanent inspection platforms will be built inside the bridge so that inspectors can regularly examine the bridge’s structural components in the years to come.” Re: sharing it with public, aside from general descriptions that everything was performing as expected, no specifics such as “crack A is 1/8″ and was 1/16″,” no.
- Frog August 11, 2022 (7:23 pm)
  
  The future performance reports had better not contain the phrase “continue to observe.”
  - Reed August 11, 2022 (9:19 pm)
    
    We engineers collect sufficient data to make well informed decisions. We don’t have knee jerk reactions to satisfy the whims of the layman public.

WSBiker August 11, 2022 (11:44 am)

Let the sea levels rise…

Vee August 11, 2022 (11:45 am)

Happy dance. happy day

Insertname August 11, 2022 (11:56 am)

Yay! On my birthday.

Cathy August 11, 2022 (11:58 am)

Any chance there will be weight restrictions on the high bridge? Would be nice if the giant trucks stuck to the low bridge.

revilor August 11, 2022 (12:17 pm)

Would be nice if that was not the case. The low bridge has moving parts and cannot handle the repeated load. These loads need to be distributed across both bridges. The high bridge is designed to handle the loads, it was just built wrong. As they were building the high bridge they started at both ends and met in the middle. When they got to the middle they were 2′ off vertically. How do you think they corrected up? They certainly did not start over…
- nothend August 11, 2022 (1:28 pm)
  
  The low bridge is part of SDOT’s “Heavy Haul Network” which allows rigs weighing 100,000 lbs. The upper bridge has the more normal 80,000 pound federal and state weight limit. An 80,000 pound rig causes 5,000 times more damage to roads and bridges then a standard 2,000 lbs car. https://www.gao.gov/products/109954
  - Alan Ford August 11, 2022 (3:57 pm)
    
    Clearly the solution is to stop buying useless and unnecessary plastic and electronic crap and damage will be reduced, not just to roads. Also, while you’re at it, stop pumping out more people like we’re competing with cockroaches and ants. There are already 8 billion of us and we’re in the beginning stages of the massive civilizational shift backward. Remember this when the bridge opens and you’re stuck on it for hours again. Stop worshiping at the GDP altar. And no, neither bicycles nor more drilling will get us out of this.
    - nothend August 12, 2022 (4:46 am)
      
      Alan- Spot on

Gina August 11, 2022 (12:06 pm)

I have a Husky Ice Cream cone bet riding on September 30!

uncle loco August 11, 2022 (2:41 pm)

I had them opening ahead of schedule. I guess I might owe someone on this forum 2 Jack in the Box tacos. I forget who though.
- OneTimeCharley August 12, 2022 (3:59 pm)
  
  It was me. I swear. Can’t get enough of that JITC meat paste!

Revilo August 11, 2022 (12:10 pm)

I am dreading crossing the bridge and seeing new lane channelization aimed at “traffic calming” and transit prioritization but actually causing more congestion and restrictions for drivers.

WSB August 11, 2022 (12:33 pm)

There is NO new channelization aside from, as mentioned in our Tuesday report, widening the inside shoulder on the westbound side (and commensurately reducing the outside shoulder).
Jort August 11, 2022 (1:28 pm)

If the “congestion and restrictions” bother you, there are alternative options you can utilize instead, such as riding the bus or riding a bike. It is unrealistic to expect (even though it is 99 percent of the time the case) that every single piece of infrastructure in this city be for the exclusive and sole benefit of car drivers.
- Jay August 11, 2022 (2:21 pm)
  
  Riding a bike is awful here and I wouldn’t recommend noobs even consider a bike commute to work because they’ll end up as ghost bikes.
  - Jort August 11, 2022 (2:36 pm)
    
    Then I’m sure you’ll agree with me that we should increase our efforts to protect cyclists from the dangers of car drivers so that more people choose to bike!
- 935 August 11, 2022 (4:24 pm)
  
  To Jort (and all of the other ‘just ride a bike crowd’) how would you suppose I get my 60 pound chop saw & my 40 pound air compressor, hose, nail gun etc to my varied job sites? Would YOU want to pay for that extra labor?
  - One less car August 11, 2022 (5:30 pm)
    
    I would think in your situation, as someone who can’t bike to work, that you would support bike and transit infrastructure as a way to get cars off the road and get you out of traffic! After all the only real solution to gridlock is fewer cars!
  - Jort August 11, 2022 (7:58 pm)
    
    Did I say “eliminate every motorized vehicle in the city for eternity” or did I say “make cycling safer?” Unless you are somehow going to infer that the only way to make cycling safer is to literally ban every vehicle. By the way, we do not need to plan our entire transportation strategy around people carrying 60 pound chop saws and 40 pound air compressors — because 99.9999999999999 percent of transportation uses do not involve people moving chop saws and air compressors. In case you were unaware, what you’re talking about is, in fact, a rare use case for transportation needs. And if you’re worried about us turning into a dystopian, horrifying cycling nightmare like, um, the Netherlands, I’ll have you know that the Dutch also have 60 pound chop saws and 40 pound air compressors that contractors use and transport on actual roads!
  - Jeff August 12, 2022 (7:42 am)
    
    935 this is such a rare use case for cars. Don’t be a concern troll.
    - 935 August 12, 2022 (3:40 pm)
      
      LOL “concern troll” – that’s a first.
      
      Well, when you, and others begin to see traffic surcharges and drive times show up on your invoicing you’ll know why.
      
      Or is what I just wrote “reality trolling”
  - skeeter August 12, 2022 (4:06 pm)
    
    Hey 935 we need to get more people biking and taking transit so you and your heavy tools can get to the job site without sitting in traffic 2 hours a day. It’s a huge waste of your time. More people biking, walking, and taking transit is gonna save you time. I promise!!
Pietro August 11, 2022 (5:44 pm)

Where on earth did you see anything that spoke about rechannelization? Please stop adding more angst to an already overly angst-ridden comment section. Like we need one more thing for people to go overboard about.

Yma August 11, 2022 (12:10 pm)

So – back to an old bridge that we know gets waaaay backed up & can’t handle any mass transit options beyond busses. Can’t help thinking we missed an opportunity, this bridge won’t last as long as it should & we’ll be paying lots more overall.Then again, that could just be my inner Eeyore talking. It will be nice to have our main conduit back.

WSB August 11, 2022 (12:32 pm)

The theory is that these repairs will enable it to last as long as it was originally meant to. In the early going, they weren’t so sure, but that was part of what led to the decision to repair rather than replace – the belief that since the rest of the bridge was in good shape, repairing and strengthening it could mean it would last another 40 years after all. One of the stories in which this was mentioned:
https://westseattleblog.com/2020/10/video-repair-or-replace-what-west-seattle-bridge-community-task-force-members-told-the-mayor-and-whats-next/

Jeepney August 11, 2022 (12:15 pm)

I will focus on the positive here, at least we are getting a bridge back. For awhile there there was a possibility it was going to be torn down……

T. Snad August 11, 2022 (12:27 pm)

My opinion, the bridge should have a weight limit. Let’s keep all those super heavy trucks and busses off of it. You can’t tell me that having those huge busses lumbering over the brdge 24/7 didn’t have a major impact on the damage that occurred to it.

momosmom August 11, 2022 (12:52 pm)

Like what the busses did to 26th Ave SW and also to Rollercoaster SW Barton St?!
nwpolitico August 11, 2022 (1:39 pm)

Ah yes, let’s keep focusing on those naughty buses which reduce vehicle traffic and carbon emissions, and weigh less than the cumulative vehicle weight of every bus rider driving alone
- uncle loco August 11, 2022 (4:20 pm)
  
  Those single axle buses cause more point load stress as opposed to the displaced weight that a bunch of cars would have…
  - nwpolitico August 11, 2022 (5:07 pm)
    
    Totally understand. My point is that even partially blaming the bridge closure on buses is a silly, anti-transit talking point. The buses wouldn’t cause extended point load stress if they weren’t stuck in traffic behind private vehicles. Buses on the West Seattle Bridge are a net benefit for all involved.
Jethro Marx August 11, 2022 (2:52 pm)

I can and will tell you that engineering decisions will continue to be made without consideration of the internet comments from yahoos. In fact, the problem was likely design-based, and creep cares more about static load than traffic. And, of course the bridge has a weight limit, like all bridges.
- WSB August 11, 2022 (3:17 pm)
  
  Since so many people have brought it up, I’m asking for a clarification on the weight-limit issue, FWIW.
  - 935 August 11, 2022 (4:25 pm)
    
    Since you’re asking questions, ask if they’re going to be use/trip restrictions?

Chino August 11, 2022 (12:29 pm)

Woo!!!!

BW August 11, 2022 (12:46 pm)

Will there still be t-shirts with the winning t-shirt design from a few months back?

skeeter August 11, 2022 (1:16 pm)

Anyone wanna buy my bicycle on September 19? Cheap.

bolo August 11, 2022 (2:00 pm)

Yes. What size is it?
- skeeter August 12, 2022 (8:43 am)
  
  I’m sorry – I intended this comment to be silly. I love riding my bike and will continue to do so after the bridge is open. I’m sure there will be some bikes for sale on craigslist or facebook marketplace if you are interested bolo. Pedal on!

Marcus August 11, 2022 (1:19 pm)

Weight limit sounds really necessary. those rigs from Nucor hauling rebar are very heavy.

Hammer in Hand August 11, 2022 (6:53 pm)

It is not trucks from Nucor they have a gross vehicle weight that can not be exceeded. Yet all of metro busses have a special fed exemption because they are all over weight per axle Every notice bus routes with black top payment are rutted and full of broken pavement and pot holeswant to preserve the repair do allow busses on it.

Richard August 11, 2022 (1:24 pm)

T. snad, I wonder if a weight limit was considered? I remember seeing back to back Nucor rebar extended semi flat bed trucks that were sitting on top of the bridge in heavy traffic. They were so loaded down they struggled to make it over the bridge in stop and go traffic. After the reopening, maybe that weight class should take west marginal way?

Eastsider August 11, 2022 (1:35 pm)

Almost 1000 days to fix it. Nothing to crow about, even in Seattle.

Unimpressed August 11, 2022 (1:38 pm)

Y’all sound entitled. Yes they did let it get way more broken than they should have, but any construction project takes a long time. Getting the whole project spun up, funded, designed, working through a strike, and installed in two and a half years is pretty good. Yes it sucks that we went without for so long, but all this whining and saying they weren’t doing it fast enough is ridiculous.

Jamison August 11, 2022 (5:48 pm)

Your reasonable, well-thought-out comment has no place in the WSB comment section.
- Jethro Marx August 12, 2022 (7:52 pm)
  
  Go back to your huts, kind and thoughtful people.

Mj August 11, 2022 (2:22 pm)

WSB at 1233 noted no change to channelization except some widening of WB inside shoulder and a commensurate reduction on the outside shoulder.

The original bridge was designed for three lanes in each direction, aka balanced weights. I’m curious if the shoulder tweaks is an attempt to provide some counter weight by shifting the center of gravity further north for WB traffic?

Hopefully SDoT will properly maintain the bridge from this point forward!

THOMAS August 11, 2022 (2:39 pm)

Is this a real fix or a temporary fix for 20yrs i think instead of all this light rail crap they should of torn the bridge down and built it to last for over 100 yrs it was built cheaply the first time West Seattle needs and deserves a bridge that will last

uncle loco August 11, 2022 (5:18 pm)

We were supposed to all have jet packs by now. Maybe we will within the next 100 years and won’t need the bridge.

TrixieStix August 11, 2022 (2:39 pm)

For reference, the Oakland-Bay Bridge was re-opened a month after the 1989 earthquake. The earthquake hit on Oct 17 and the repaired bridge was reopened on Nov 17. Yes, repairs continued around the reopened portion and the bridge was replaced a few years ago, but still!

Civil Engineer In Training August 11, 2022 (5:51 pm)

Yes, and the Oakland-Bay Bridge was of the exact same design, scope and repair to the WSB bridge. Same with the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis. All three can be fully repaired in about an hour with a couple cans of Flex Seal and some paint. Seriously…
- Carey That Weight August 11, 2022 (7:53 pm)
  
  Right? And today we have a whole new crop of experts that know about weight distribution on bridge structures. So many informed people here!

DML August 11, 2022 (2:59 pm)

I too hope there are weight restrictions. Several times I found myself eastbound merging into the HWY99 lane and being behind a Nucor rig and the bridge was definitely ‘bucking’. Was interested to hear there are sensors now, good move. Very excited to have access again and we all have been more than patient.

Bridge Engineer Bob August 11, 2022 (5:52 pm)

The bridge engineers are back in the comment section today! You do realize that bridges “flex” correct? That is what they are supposed to do.

Chris August 11, 2022 (3:41 pm)

Also, FYI, they are working on repaving California Avenue one block at a time to get ready for the bridge opening. They will be in the North Admiral area next week. No parking signs went up.

WSB August 11, 2022 (3:59 pm)

Will check on that, thanks. Our last paving report was about the various blocks of 35th.

admiral admirable August 11, 2022 (4:03 pm)

The display of whining here is hilarious. We are a nation of adult children. Grow up. Life is complicated. It’s not all about you. Sheesh!And I gotta add: as an Admiral snob I can’t wait to be 10 minutes to the other side once again! It’ll be amazing.

Graciano August 11, 2022 (4:05 pm)

Knowing SDOT, the WS bridge will be one lane in each direction with a 20mph speed limit. I can’t wait for it to open, then hopefully you entitled drivers will stay out of the resident streets in north Shorewood.

Mj August 11, 2022 (4:57 pm)

Chris – Any paving on California Avenue is not related to the WSB

Jort August 11, 2022 (7:59 pm)

Oh, boy! The experts have spoken!

Klaus F August 11, 2022 (5:18 pm)

Give me convenience or give me death!

Felix Grounds August 11, 2022 (10:44 pm)

West Seattle Uberalles.

Jensen Wong August 11, 2022 (5:19 pm)

I want to be the first guy to drive across that bridge.

David August 11, 2022 (6:04 pm)

I’m cool with being the 2nd across
- Link1251 August 12, 2022 (2:47 pm)
  
  I’ll be third

Lisa August 11, 2022 (6:45 pm)

All I can think is…”I don’t think that word (reopening) means what you think it means.” LOL

In other words, those of you who are so excited about the reopening may have forgotten how absolutely horrible the bridge can get backed up when there’s an accident anywhere from here to downtown.

And how many more residents have we acquired in the last 2.5 years?

Will have my popcorn ready for 9/18.

Ms_F August 11, 2022 (9:06 pm)

I fully expect the project to continue to be on “island time.” If the predicted opening date is met, I’ll be pleasantly surprised!

aa August 11, 2022 (9:36 pm)

Residents of South Park will finally get some relief from the onslaught of WS drivers!

S August 11, 2022 (9:40 pm)

I can only imagine how the now aggressive, psychotic drivers of west Seattle, your own neighbors, will be hauling ass across the bridge when it opens, causing accidents, risking others safety at all costs to get ahead or just simply to be an a##h@le for no apparent reason. When I have to drive, I’ll be taking the low bridge and Marginal. It’s been a displeasure being stuck in W Sea with and experiencing the audacity and criminality of neighborhood drivers both as a pedestrian, biker and a driver since the bridge closed.

Watertowerjim August 12, 2022 (5:46 am)

That’s so funny, I was just thinking the same thing. I’d rather have a leisurely, consistent drive than worry about bus lane cheaters and long cues. West marginal – in theory – should run very smoothly with half the traffic and all the improvements made over the last two years. And I live north of the bridge!
Jeff August 12, 2022 (7:43 am)

But not you, right? :D :D :D

Roddy3 August 11, 2022 (11:07 pm)

Never thought I’d say this after living in WS for 40+ years, but I’m sure glad I don’t live there now. Y’all are a bunch of whiny losers.

William August 12, 2022 (7:43 am)

Hi WSB, thank you for the reporting, as always. Apologies if I missed this, but before opening is that section of the bridge just before hopping onto I5 going to be fixed? It’s the area accessible now just after you cross the low bridge and go up onto the bridge. It’s really dreadful and has wrecked quite a few car wheels over the last few years (and before). I feel like the city really needs to take care of this before the mass of traffic starts using it again…

WSB August 12, 2022 (9:26 am)

They’ve talked about a fair amount of resurfacing, but I don’t know about that specific area. Have you reported it?

Schmitz Park Dad August 12, 2022 (10:10 am)

Wow, looks like we are a little over a month away from mid-summer.

OneTimeCharley August 12, 2022 (3:43 pm)

News Flash. The repair and reopening of the West Seattle Bridge will not solve all your problems. It may make your life a little happier, it may make your life a little easier, it may create extra time in your life, but it is not going to solve all your problems. In fact, it is not guaranteed to have any positive impact at all on your life and well-being. In other words, individual results may vary. I personally am excited about all the extra traffic shifting back northwards though.