FOLLOWUP: Spokane Street Viaduct repaving may happen sooner than previously expected

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(SDOT camera image)

Discussions of the hole that shut down the state-owned ramp from the West Seattle Bridge to Highway 99 (reopening tomorrow) have swerved into concerns about the condition of the city-owned Spokane Street Viaduct. (That’s the formal name for the east half of the West Seattle Bridge, from Highway 99 to I-5.) Those concerns also came up during the 2 1/2-year repair closure of the west half of the West Seattle Bridge. The eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct, not part of the repair project, did close for work including pothole repairs multiple times during those 2 1/2 years, and SDOT did deck scanning for a more extensive assessment. Then in July of last year, the city announced it had received a $5 million federal grant to resurface the entire eastbound side of the SSV. At the time of that announcement, SDOT told us that resurfacing would happen in “the next few years.” So we asked last week where that plan stands, and got this answer today from SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson with a somewhat speedier timeline: “We are currently in the design phase of this project, and anticipate starting construction as soon as next year. The construction work will address the frequent overlay issues that we have been encountering on the eastbound lanes of the Spokane St Viaduct.” The eastbound lanes are on the original 1940s-built SSV structure; the westbound side was built a decade-plus ago to widen it

OP May 8, 2023 (8:02 pm)

Sigh. The chucks and chunks of concrete that line the SSV along the left
lane is maddening. All that time to make long-term, clearly needed
fixes and they didn’t take advantage of it. How does this not frustrate
any forward-thinking human being. Glad the powers that are finally
motivated to do something, but geezus….

Curios George May 8, 2023 (8:37 pm)

For the last 5+ years I’ve gone to the find it fix it site making known the pot holes on the eastbound lanes of the SSV too no avail. So what are we going too do about the potholes and loose pieces of cement on the road until this project is done…Traffic dodge ball?

bolo May 8, 2023 (9:54 pm)

Yay! for the $5 million federal grant. Hope they can get it done with that.

Thank you to whoever applied for it. And thank you to whoever granted it.

Admiral May 8, 2023 (10:41 pm)

Curious George – I presume you meant loose pieces of concrete, cement is a binding agent.

Frankly it’s frustrating that this work was not conducted when the bridge was closed, it would have been more cost effective, less traffic control needed, AND way less disruptive.

Kt May 9, 2023 (5:41 am)

1. There was a concrete strike during bridge closure that delayed many projects throughout the region.2. Funds came due to the Democratic Congress passing infrastructure bill, which happened well after bridge was closed.3. We are thankful it is happening!

BJG May 9, 2023 (8:15 pm)

Another year? Headed east this morning on the SSV in the best possible weather, I still could not dodge all the deep holes and new chunks of concrete coming out of the failing bridge deck. It’s dangerous driving up there. Just paid $1500 for two new tires and a wheel after hitting a road hazard in the rain in front of the Chelan. Another concrete chunk? My low profile tires are a too delicate for Seattle’s collapsing streets. Then there’s James Street uphill to 9th. Don’t get me started!

rob May 9, 2023 (9:47 am)

i wonder if my car will live long enough to see it

KT May 9, 2023 (7:18 pm)

Why in the world is a “design phase” needed for to repave a road? You have the money, just do it! I will bet this will be done sooner because based on the pot holes I see and the exposed rebar, you’ll have another Hwy 99 N/B ramp episode at some point. Of course, they will say “it developed quickly”.

Jay May 10, 2023 (12:11 pm)

I hope they can also add drainage to Lake Spokane Street, the 20′ long, 10′ wide, 6″ deep puddle that forms in the bike lane on the mainland side for most of the year with the most rancid water you can imagine.

Sna May 10, 2023 (5:51 pm)

Didn’t you report on the problems with this “repaving” that cropped up almost immediately 10+ years ago? https://westseattleblog.com/2012/08/spokane-st-viaduct-why-some-of-its-new-surface-is-getting-cut-up/What will be different this time so it doesn’t delaminate again?

Sorry, comment time is over.