FOLLOWUP: West Seattle low bridge expected to remain closed to drivers for at least several more days

(SDOT photo: ‘Bent and twisted mechanical gate arm with damaged linear driver motor, wiring, warning lights, and control panel’)

Two days after a suspected drunk driver crashed into the arm and gate at the edge of the West Seattle low bridge’s east half, the bridge remains closed to drivers, and repairs are expected to last at least “several days,” per an update we just received from SDOT. The crash Saturday night sent the driver and a passenger to the hospital; the bike/foot path on the bridge reopened to users on Sunday night, but the repairs required before it can reopen to drivers are more complex. Here’s tonight’s update from SDOT:

SDOT engineers and maintenance crews continue to make repairs necessary to reopen the Spokane Street Swing Bridge to cars and trucks. Crew members may not be visible onsite all the time because much of the manufacturing and repair work is conducted offsite.

The damaged metal gate at the end of the bridge must be removed and will either be replaced or rebuilt in our mechanical repair shop. The impact critically twisted and bent the main metal tube which is the backbone of the mechanical gate. The electronics, motor, and locking pin linear drive motor inside the metal tube were also damaged in the crash. All these components are essential for safe bridge operations.

Due to the complex and precise nature of the work, crews are unable to repair the gate in its present location. We plan to remove the gate arm tomorrow and take it to our repair shop where the motors and moving parts can be dismantled, evaluated and repaired if possible. At the same time, other crew members will be focusing on repairing the damaged gate control panel and wiring.

As an extra precaution, we are ordering replacement parts in case the gate and or its electrical and mechanical components can’t be repaired, or if a replacement turns out to be the quicker and better option. Many of these mechanical parts are highly specialized and complex components which are not readily available locally and we are still waiting for confirmation from the manufacturer of some of the components.

It is not safe for drivers to use the bridge without a safety gate. Additionally, there are electronic sensors inside the mechanical gates which act as safeguards and prevent the bridge from operating without a functional gate.

We do not know the exact timeline when the repairs will be completed but expect the repairs to take several days. We will continue to provide in-depth updates as repairs continue.

Though drivers can’t use it, the bridge – formally known as the SW Spokane Street Swing Bridge – is able to open for marine traffic. That’s what it was doing when the 25-year-old driver smashed into the gate at high speed on Saturday night.

16 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: West Seattle low bridge expected to remain closed to drivers for at least several more days"

  • T Rex September 16, 2024 (8:22 pm)

    I work in the mechanical world, I sure hope they can find all of these parts locally. It could be more than a few days folks. 

  • bolo September 16, 2024 (8:42 pm)

    Rolf Neslund returns in spirit?

    • Spencer September 17, 2024 (9:49 am)

      Saint Neslund is always with us, neighbor. May our dreams forever be broken. 😆

  • K September 16, 2024 (8:52 pm)

    It’s a bummer this happened to the bridge, but I’m truly grateful the damage WAS to a bridge and not a person.  The way it sounds like that person was driving, the bridge opening may have saved a life.

  • jissy September 16, 2024 (9:39 pm)

    Hope part of this person’s punishment is restitution for these repairs.    

    • 1994 September 17, 2024 (9:48 pm)

      Agreed! Driver displayed a failure in the duty of care for his passenger, caused significant public property destruction, and temporary closure of a major road. Driver should be ordered to pay restitution accordingly.

      • Sarge September 19, 2024 (10:31 am)

        Seems like the driver should be charged with attempted murder (manslaughter?) of some sort given the risk to the passenger.   

  • Admiral-2009 September 16, 2024 (10:32 pm)

    jissy – agreed the driver needs to pay full restitution to the City.  Hopefully the City can get the bridge open soon, especially with the pending closures of Spokane Street coming up.  

  • Gee thanks reckless drunk driver September 17, 2024 (12:42 am)

    I hope prosecution actually charges them for impaired driving if guilty but at the very least restitution is needed. 

    • Curious George September 17, 2024 (1:19 pm)

      I smiled at the reference to Rolf, so appropriate.  The driver will go to court be fined, go to treatment, serve a few days,  have an ignition interlock if he gets a car and have a hard time getting insurance/ SR 22.  The only monies for the damage would come from his insurance but there are limits to that.  Rolf is still with us…

  • Jared September 17, 2024 (10:36 am)

    Imagine if this had happened during the time the upper bridge was closed. That would have been a nightmare. 

  • Benjamin September 17, 2024 (10:50 am)

    The swing arm saved the driver, and perhaps his innocent victim in the passenger seat. 

  • Arbor Heights Resident September 17, 2024 (11:20 am)

    This happening while the Spokane St, Viaduct has construction on it. Just goes to show how vulnerable West Seattle is with that annoying transport bottleneck and how important it is to get the Light Rail bridge built.

    • Al King September 17, 2024 (1:00 pm)

      Light rail structures are also susceptible to poor build quality/maintenance also. Light rail cars only work if they’re properly maintained.

      • Arbor Heights Resident September 19, 2024 (9:28 am)

        Of course the light rail can have issues too. My point is that it’s better to have 3 failure points than 2.

    • OneTimeCharley September 17, 2024 (2:14 pm)

      AND that Highland Park Way never be narrowed to three lanes instead of four. In the event of an earthquake, this may be the only non-bridge egress out of the city.

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