WEEK AHEAD: Fairmount Avenue to close as Admiral Way Bridge earthquake-safety work begins

(WSB photo, last Monday)

One more reminder – SDOT is about to start work on the Admiral Way Bridge earthquake-safety project. Crews will start that work under the bridge, in Fairmount Ravine, so Fairmount Avenue will be closed to all traffic beneath the bridge for the duration of the project – expected to be about eight months. As we reported last week, here’s roughly where the road will be blocked:

As explained by project spokesperson Dr. Matthew Howard, “There will be barricades at the bottom of the hill at SW Prince, at the top at SW Forest, and then another set farther down at the actual work area, with fencing. There will be no thru traffic as the work will be taking place on the bridge structure with cranes and equipment blocking the road.” Later in the summer – not likely before August – the top of the bridge (which is really two bridges) will see lane closures, plus two weekend-long full closures. If you have any questions about the project, comment below or email us – we’ll be talking with Dr. Howard tomorrow morning for more details.

Samantha July 7, 2024 (9:46 pm)

I use Fairmount regularly to walk, bike, exercise, and get to the water taxi or Alki. I will miss having access to it every day. I understand the work needs to be done and hope they finish it on time. The alternative routes add more time on foot. Fairmount is also a beautiful road and losing access to so much green space and nature will be a challenge.

Question Authority July 7, 2024 (11:27 pm)

Try your best to survive this hardship, experience different things and enjoy new views, all is not lost but one route and this too will pass.
Kyle July 8, 2024 (7:25 am)

I would use it much more if they installed a sidewalk. During the winter it is dangerous to walk after 4pm. Perhaps that sidewalk is in that $1B+ SDOT levy
- Fairmount July 8, 2024 (1:52 pm)
  
  Sidewalks would be a huge improvement, even on just one side but I won’t hold my breath. Very few drive the posted 20mph, most people are doing 30-40mph … with no sidewalks for pedestrians to get out of the way. Cars have gone off the road, bike riders have crashed, & a woman jogger was hit-&-run several years ago. Many people walk their dogs down Fairmount & the boys/girls track or soccer teams routinely jog up/down Fairmount. No sidewalks … yet the speeders could care less.

Emerson July 8, 2024 (7:05 am)

Do we have details on the detour routes during full closure? If it is Walnut > Forest > 39th, will there be parking restrictions as well as crews on these side streets to manage and direct the volume of traffic that will be coming through?

WSB July 8, 2024 (9:37 am)

Thank you. Detour routes are among what we’ve been asking about and I hope there’ll be some answers.
Derp July 8, 2024 (1:47 pm)

Haha, that’s funny. They didn’t do it when the west Seattle Bridge was out, why start now. Idk, maybe they did
Watertowerjim July 9, 2024 (3:38 am)

I believe Ferry Ave off of California would work. Not sure how happy those living there will be about the increased traffic though.

Eldorado July 8, 2024 (9:42 am)

Is it just me, or is anyone else concerned that traffic will still be traveling on admiral way including the bridge which is being seismically retrofitted below at the same time?

My two cents July 8, 2024 (11:13 am)

Didn’t give it a second thought until you mentioned it – doesn’t cause any concern from my view. From SDOT: The planned seismic retrofits to the Admiral Way North and South Bridges include several modifications to strengthen existing bridge components and reduce the bridge’s vulnerability to earthquakes. The following are major construction elements:

Installing carbon fiber wrapping to strengthen the bridge’s crossbeams, columns, and arches 
Strengthening the existing arch with a concrete infill wall 
Installing concrete blocks and supportive shells for the bridge’s columns and crossbeams 
Repairing cracks and damaged concrete 
Replacing the expansion joints at both ends of the bridge
Question Authority July 8, 2024 (11:43 am)

Maybe you should go another way just in case.
reed July 8, 2024 (12:47 pm)

Good point. I’m sure the project engineers overlooked that important detail (rolls eyes).

Drahcir July 8, 2024 (1:14 pm)

They failed to put a “street closed” sign at Fairmount & Harbor, only the sign that shows the close dates. So cars continue to drive past the houses, turn around, & fly past the houses coming back to Harbor in obvious frustration … brilliant.