LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: No estimate yet for reopening; free-transit announcement expected Friday

Tomorrow marks two weeks since the West Seattle low-bridge breakdown left it out of service to street and path traffic. Here’s the latest:

(SDOT photo)

That’s SDOT director Greg Spotts visiting the low bridge today for a firsthand look at the repair work. (He chronicled his visit in this Twitter thread.) No new estimates of how long the bridge will be closed, though. We asked today if there’s a date yet for removing the leaky cylinder, which SDOT says has to be done before they can estimate a timeline for repairs; spokesperson Ethan Bergerson replied, “We’re continuing our preparations, such as securing all the necessary equipment, and haven’t scheduled the exact day and time yet.” (Back on Tuesday, he said they hoped to remove it within a week.) We also asked how long until they announced details of the plan to offer free Water Taxi and bus rides; Bergerson said, “We are currently working with King County Metro to finalize everything in order to offer free transit. We hope to be able to make an announcement tomorrow.” SDOT reps told West Seattle Bike Connections on Tuesday that the free rides – funded by city dollars – would be available to everyone, not just bike riders, whose only alternative to the low bridge is a lengthy detour about which riders have raised safety concerns.

The low bridge broke down on December 23rd, with SDOT blaming multiple issues, most significantly an “intensified” leak in one of the four 15,000-pound cylinders that open and close the 31-year-old bridge for vessel traffic.

ADDED 10:23 AM: While we await full details, SDOT wants to reiterate what we reported Tuesday night – that the free-ride offer will be available via the Transit GO app, so if you’re interested, you’ll need to download that in advance.

55 Replies to "LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE: No estimate yet for reopening; free-transit announcement expected Friday"

  • Mj January 5, 2023 (10:35 pm)

    I get and support providing cost free transit for bike riders impacted by the low bridge closure, but why is it being extended to other transit users not directly impacted by the low bridge closure?  

    • Jim January 6, 2023 (3:03 am)

      Because it would be a huge hassle when loading and unloading. I don’t know if you’ve seen him any people take the water taxi on a daily basis but it’s more than you’d think

    • Al King January 6, 2023 (6:55 am)

      MJ. It’s telling that you even ask that question. Why do you think only bike riders should get free rides?? When the high bridge was out no talk of free rides. Why?

    • Reed January 6, 2023 (6:56 am)

      Obviously to encourage more people to get out of their cars. Give them a free opportunity to see how easy it is to use transit, and hopefully after the bridge reopens, some will stick with it.

    • Brian January 6, 2023 (7:42 am)

      Here’s a hot take for ya: all public transit should be free to residents. 

      • KM January 6, 2023 (9:44 am)

        Not hot, just good.

      • Wseattleite January 6, 2023 (11:07 am)

        Brian, nothing is free. Residents would still be paying for it. 

        • Brian January 6, 2023 (1:07 pm)

          Spare me your clever reductions. Of course it still gets paid for, we just wouldn’t foist the bulk of the payment responsibility on the poorest people.

    • Mellow Kitty January 6, 2023 (9:08 am)

      “SDOT reps told West Seattle Bike Connections on Tuesday that the free rides – funded by city dollars – would be available to everyone, not just bike riders, whose only alternative to the low bridge is a lengthy detour about which riders have raised safety concerns.”Show me where it says buses are free to everyone. The Blog clearly states it’s available to people affected by the detour. Furthermore, if your concern is about using tax money, remember how many tax dollars are used subsidize sports stadiums, or how Amazon held the city hostage when asked to pay taxes. Did you forget about that? 

      • WSB January 6, 2023 (9:35 am)

        Perhaps I should have punctuated that differently. The “whose only alternative” phrase is meant to refer to “bike riders,” not “everyone.”

    • DC January 6, 2023 (9:11 am)

      I assume it is too hard to verify who would otherwise be biking/walking the bridge. Also, I doubt it will be applied automatically. So what ever system they put in place to allow free transit will be most followed by those who are actually affected.     

  • Jeepney January 6, 2023 (5:45 am)

    Unless a wealthy private benefactor is funding the cost, the trips will not be “free”.  Since this subsidy will be funded by city dollars, I wonder what bucket it  will be taken out of?

  • Bus January 6, 2023 (6:59 am)

    Public transit should be free to everyone, all the time.  

    • Question Authority January 6, 2023 (9:44 am)

      Who pays for it?

      • WestSeattleBadTakes January 6, 2023 (12:03 pm)

        Businesses and the people of course.

      • Bus January 6, 2023 (2:15 pm)

        The same people would pay for public transit that already pay for public roads.  Everyone, even the people who don’t use them pays for it.  Public libraries, public schools, and jails are also funded by lots of people who don’t use them (especially the latter–which NO ONE complains about).  Welcome to living in a society.

      • freelunch January 6, 2023 (3:35 pm)

        Who pays?  
        We all do, just like for roads and parking. 
        If transit were free, more people would abandon their cars, less pollution and less congestion.
        What’s not to like?

    • Jeepney January 6, 2023 (10:37 am)

      I agree, public transit should be free.  As a matter of fact, many people choose not to pay at all.  I commute by bus daily and my estimate is that 50-60% actually pay the fare.    I wouldn’t mind paying higher taxes to subsidize free rides for all, but I am skeptical how efficiently those tax dollars would be spent.

    • DC January 6, 2023 (11:36 am)

      I don’t get the obsession with free public transit. The vast majority of people who use transit are more concerned with frequency, reliability, and coverage than affordability. And you ask anyone who doesn’t take transit, and they’ll give you the same reasons (frequency, reliability and coverage). Plus, the city already has reduced/free fare for those who need it.

  • David January 6, 2023 (7:43 am)

    I don’t have much sympathy for bike riders special treatment after having to drive the same detour for two years during the high bridge closure 

    • WestSeattleBadTakes January 6, 2023 (12:05 pm)

      I hope you can tell there is a big difference between pressing your foot down and using your legs to move you a few extra miles.

    • reed January 6, 2023 (4:50 pm)

      I don’t mind the extra miles, in fact I love it. The difference is that the car detour during the high bridge closure wasn’t a death gauntlet; this bike detour is.

    • bill January 6, 2023 (5:04 pm)

      David,  the bike riders did you a favor removing a few cars from the roads during your oh so arduous two years sitting in your warm dry car.

  • wetone January 6, 2023 (9:35 am)

    So the real question is when will swing bridge reopen ?  Any guesses, bets ?  I want to go with 4/01/23 but reality is telling me final answer  5/5/23 if we’re lucky. I can sadly say I expect to see more of these major road shutdowns around Seattle as maintenance of infrastructure has not been maintained properly over last 10+yrs, due to city council and government prioritizing  ($$$$$) elsewhere ;) Catching up will be very costly and time consuming. Nothing is free, we’ll all pay one way or other.

  • Question Authority January 6, 2023 (9:41 am)

    FYI – There are only two 15,000-pound cylinders, one in each leafs pedestal that raise them to rotate.  The others used are much smaller cylinders such as you see the “white end” of in the photo, turn the leafs back and forth.  What they are doing in the photo is attempting to remove the linkage pin using a portable hydraulic jack “yellow” on top.

  • KT January 6, 2023 (9:44 am)

     So while we argue about free transit I place more importance on this … “No new estimates of how long the bridge will be closed, though. We asked today if there’s a date yet for removing the leaky cylinder, which SDOT says has to be done before they can estimate a timeline for repairs; spokesperson Ethan Bergerson replied, “We’re continuing our preparations, such as securing all the necessary equipment, and haven’t scheduled the exact day and time yet.” (Back on Tuesday, he said they hoped to remove it within a week.)”  Here we go again.   

    • skeeter January 6, 2023 (11:58 am)

      Thank you KT.  I agree – the free transit use is really not a big deal.  The more acute problem is the hundreds of daily cyclists and pedestrians who need to get to and from work and school and desperately need the access to the lower bridge.  Many of these folks either do not own a car or do not have access to a car.  Transit doesn’t work for a lot of us either.  It’s a very difficult situation for a lot of people.  

  • Harborislandworker January 6, 2023 (10:05 am)

    So what about free monthly gas cards for people who work on Harbor Island? That live in West Seattle… especially since bus service doesn’t go down there and the only stop close enough would have me walk 35 to 45 minutes to my location anyway. I’m basically stuck with the same detour route as when the high bridge was closed. 

    • Q.Y.B. January 6, 2023 (12:25 pm)

      They have that already for you. Have you ever seen a Vanpool?  For a pool of 5, your cost would be less that $100 per month for fuel, maintenance, insurance, 24-hour Emergency Roadside Assistance, Guaranteed Ride Home and toll-free roadways for everyone in the vanpool (including the actual use of the Van!). Ya’ll should setup a ride share and get your free gas that way. Just like if you live by yourself without a roommate, if your drive yourself, it is going to cost you more for that privilege. https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/travel-options/rideshare/programs/vanpool.aspx#fare-schedules

      • HarborIslandworker January 6, 2023 (1:25 pm)

        What your suggesting I do would literally cost me more money and not solve the detour issue. Congratulations and being snarky for no reason.

      • HarborIslandWorker January 6, 2023 (2:34 pm)

        Q.Y.B… I do know about that actually. But that doesn’t solve my problem with having a detour and would be an added expense when I already have a vehicle. That being said, I suppose a group of five bicyclists to do the same. But that’s not what my comment is about. My comment is about the willingness that SDOT has for one group, but not the other that are technically stuck in the same boat. There is a reason I don’t ride my bike to Harbor Island. I find it very unsafe and most people speed down there, including metro and Port vehicles which I witnessed on a daily basis, when the high bridge was closed. And for the record, I have nothing against bicyclists if you think I’m one of those people. I find it interesting though that I am somehow complaining but when the bicycle community does it or speaks on these issues, it’s interpreted differently. I’m simply stating that there are two transportation demographics that are affected by this, but only one is receiving any type of (oh, we’re so sorry for the inconvenience) type of help from SDOT… especially when they know how big of an inconvenience it was for people who work on Harbor Island when the high Bridge was closed and they took away our access. It’s hard to have a dialogue sometimes with people when their first response is to be snarky at a community member that’s voicing their opinion anyway, have a great day…Q.Y.B

        • Q.Y.B. January 6, 2023 (5:34 pm)

          That is a lot more context that your initial comment, that could also be conceived as snarky. Vanpool is probably the closest any of us will get to receiving free gas short of having an employer pay for it. There are many arguments that can be made for subsiding one thing or another, and Im not getting into that. I actually just found out recently that Vanpool offers that much, and was trying to help! If I go back to commuting to my workplace I will be looking for coworkers that might want to throw down on Vanpool so I don’t have to bike in the rain, or put wear&tear on any of my cars… Have a great day! We are all neighbors here.

          • Harborislandworker January 6, 2023 (6:11 pm)

            I’m not sure how it was snarky I’ve been fighting for equal opportunity transportation opportunities since the high bridge closure for harbor island workers were ripped from their low bridge access   I’m not the one to assume who didn’t know those options didn’t exist… I know all about that I’ve probably been to more zoom community meetings regarding the West Seattle bridge, and low bridge access than you have ever cared to attend… and was ignored at every turn by SDOT just ask the West Seattle blog on …I was at most of those meetings I’m

    • Kyle January 6, 2023 (12:56 pm)

      Harborislandworker do you bike to harbor island? If you drive just take the high bridge and double back a bit.

  • Olive January 6, 2023 (10:49 am)

    How would this read if the bridge were stuck and impassable to boats and barges?

    • Question Authority January 6, 2023 (12:05 pm)

      It would be forced open by any means possible because freedom of marine navigation is paramount and legally protected.  The waterway and associated commerce is US Coast Guard responsibility and the river was there first.

      • Olive January 6, 2023 (1:33 pm)

        I’m questioning your authority.

  • TJ January 6, 2023 (12:24 pm)

    Nothing is free. “Free” public transportation just means someone else is paying it. It is already highly subsidized. That would be a expensive social program, who would pay for it, and on what grounds make that ok? Some people seem to place some moral pedestal to people who use public transportation that I just don’t get.

    • Brian January 6, 2023 (1:10 pm)

      Heads up: Trying to be clever by pointing out how nothing is “Free” doesn’t make you look like the smart person you think it does. It’s tiresome and not at all engaging.

      • Jimmy January 6, 2023 (3:11 pm)

        So helpful! Thank you, Brian, for moving the conversation forward! Yay, Brian!

      • Al King January 6, 2023 (4:08 pm)

        Brian(and Jimmy) TJ isn’t trying to be clever, just stating facts. Why is that “tiresome and not at all engaging”.

    • skeeter January 6, 2023 (1:11 pm)

      TJ – I agree that public transportation is already subsidized.  But it’s not 100% subsidized like roads are.  Every time I get in my car and drive around on a road I don’t get charged to use that really expensive road.  The road is paid for with sales tax, property tax, and B&O tax.  Many people also want transit to be paid for 100% by sales tax, property tax, and B&O tax too.  (Please don’t say that gas taxes pay for roads.  Gas taxes pay an incredibly tiny portion of road expense.)

  • NW January 6, 2023 (12:33 pm)

    I have been doing bus with bike commute a number of years now and will continue to do that. I find riding my bicycle down Avalon to be dangerous with the combined weight of rider and electric bike especially to be exceeding 300lbs along with the velocity behind me far too dangerous. The increase in bike riders which is a good thing mind you I realize the benefit and the S route of the lower bridge and vicinity to be also dangerous. Aggressive drivers along with pollution over the summer keeps this bike rider on the bus a good portion of the way on my commute. Now I do ride the bike home for exercise a lot so the impact of the bridge being close affects me too. I will continue to pay my fare for the bus.

  • KM January 6, 2023 (1:04 pm)

    A lot of people here seeming to ignore that cars are the most heavily subsidized ground transportation choice of them all. Happy Friday!

    • WestSeattle January 6, 2023 (2:54 pm)

      With that being said…what kind of car do you drive?

  • TJ January 6, 2023 (1:56 pm)

    Oh, I’m not trying to be clever or look smart. Just pointing out what should be obvious but that some people don’t get. The entitlement mentality comes with a cost. I don’t get why people think so much is owed to them, especially transportation 

    • Another One January 6, 2023 (4:50 pm)

      Agreed. All street parking should require a permit. All roads should be tolled. Pay for what you use. Sliding scale for smaller, lighter vehicles that don’t tear up the road as much. 

    • WestSeattleBadTakes January 6, 2023 (7:09 pm)

      Entitlement when public good. Give me a break.

      I’m sure you’re screeching at the businesses who benefit from our the infrastructure and barely pay anything.

      I’m sure Amazon would be just as successful if they had to build their own infrastructure.

  • Jimmy January 6, 2023 (3:23 pm)

    4000 miles a year commuting on my bike year round, and these two weeks have been awful. Water Taxi has pretty limited schedule- if you miss the last boat during the week at 6:45, there is no safe way home. 1st Ave S route is too damn dangerous. Free water taxi is actually the very least SDOT can provide, and considering their ho-hum response to the upper bridge closure, we know how poorly they consider West Seattle. SDOT will drag their feet, mumble about complications, and it will be May before I can commute without burning dinosaurs. Peace out, and give us THREE FEET! ✌🏼

    • Kathy January 7, 2023 (1:27 am)

      There are Rapid Ride C line stops not too far from the Water Taxi dock downtown. If your bike is not too heavy you can put it on the bus rack. I ask the driver to kneel the bus to make it easier to get my e-bike on the rack.

Sorry, comment time is over.