In what former Mayor Greg Nickels said he hoped would be the next to last West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force meeting on April 21 the agenda was focused on a look back at the events and process that the closure of the bridge initiated. Some current updates on the last elements of the repair process were covered and the upcoming termination of the Reconnect West Seattle program that was launched to help people get around without the bridge.

The complete video of the meeting is below.

SDOT's Heather Marx talked about the updates in the process.

Marx noted that the core drilling is complete for the installation of the final post tensioned steel cabling. The project has received the first structural concrete for post tensioning anchor block elements as the preparation for the post-tensioning continues. The west side of the bridge is continuing to get more epoxy injections and carbon fiber wrapping and expansion joint replacements are still underway. The scheduling of future pours is something SDOT is working on with Kraemer North America the repair contractor. Interestingly a nesting pair of falcons on the bridge is something SDOT is working with the Washington State Dept. of Fish and Wildlife to look after. She noted that there is a "falcon management plan" has been approved. The falcon nest is above Pier 15 and should be visible from Pigeon Point.

Marx went over the Rehabilitation schedule next and discussed the fact that getting the work done is largely dependent on the availability of concrete. She noted that there are other potential slowdowns or delays including supply chain disruptions, worker shortages, the weather, COVID is still a factor, and unforeseen issues.

As before she noted that approximately one month before the official reopening they will share that date but that after the construction work is completed tests are required.

• Pour concrete to fill access openings created for repairs
• Complete expansion joint replacement
• Restore the illumination system on the bridge
• Replace overhead signs on the bridge
• Complete replacement of more than 60 concrete panels east of 35th SW and seal the joints.
• Replace center barrier east of 35th SW
• Install concrete overlay on the Fauntleroy Expressway
• Finally, reopen all entrances and exits to the high bridge.

After the high bridge reopens the plan is to:

• Remove the low bridge restrictions and detour signage
• Restripe some locations for example Delridge north of Andover Street, and SR 99 Southbound approaching the high bridge exit
• Remove the Bus Only lanes for example on the east approach to the low bridge and the west approach to the 5 way intersection under the bridge.
• Reconfigure the traffic signals such as the one at Fire Station 36 on Harbor Island.
• Adjust the signal timing in West Seattle and throughout the Duwamish Valley and along detour routes.

Next up was a look at the progress made and continuing plans for the repair and rehabilitation of the low swing bridge. It has been part of the $175 repair and rehabilitation process too as it has needed both updates and repairs following the discovery of similar shear cracks to the upper bridge last year. The plans include epoxy injections into cracks to seal them and exterior carbon fiber wrapping. To facilitate that and other work, platforms, similar to those used on the upper bridge are now under construction. Not yet started are the epoxy and carbon fiber work inside the lower bridge girders. Preparations are being made for the lift cylinder replacement on the east side of the swing mechanism as well as new controls and communications lines.

Marx explained that SDOT is working with the Coast Guard to get what are called "operational deviations" for consecutive weekends in May to allow the contractor to hoist and secure the platforms under the low bridge. That will mean during those times, no marine traffic will be allowed. Buses and trucks will be allowed to cross the bridge.

The work on the loop ramp from the Spokane Street SW roadway to SR 99 northbound is as WestsideSeattle previously reported closed for repairs. that work began April 18 and is expected to take two weeks.

Sara Zora took over to talk about Reconnect West Seattle noting that out of the 70 projects they have conceived they completed or are still working on 56 of them. Eleven are in construction and three are still being designed.

In what they call the Home Zone or in upcoming construction awatiing concrete are: 

• South Park = Three conveyance swale projects
• Georgetown = One ADA Curb Ramp project
• Highland Park = Three conveyance swale projects and the Dumar/Orchard intersection

SDOT has completed traffic mitigation for:

• The Chelan five Way intersection improvements due to daytime train building activities
• Installed new directional signs and striping on SW Spokane Street for the Harbor/ Avalon Way exits
• Installed ten new overhead signs in front of the Chelan Cafe, Delridge Way SW, West Marginal Way SW, Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Spokane Street.
• Installed a painted curb bulb at 9th Ave SW and SW Henderson Pl.
• Completed nine paving projects 

She reviewed all the 2022 construction projects:

Home Zone projects were reviewed

Zora spoke about the comparative data collection done year over year from 2020 to 2021 to evaluate traffic speeds and volumes in October of those years.

They found that volumes increased on most arterials (detour routes) but that volumes stayed the same or went down on most residential streets with Home Zone improvements and that speeds also decreased. There are surveys in progress to determine of some of these pilot projects should be permanent.

There are some upcoming projects under the Reconnect West Seattle program including:

• Radar speed signs on 16th Ave SW by South Seattle College
• Left turn both east and west bound on South Cloverdale Street and 7th Ave. South.
• Nine projects are scheduled for after the high bridge reopens

Traffic mitigation projects being implemented are:

• Replacing additional overhead signs
• More than sixty  concrete panels on the west end of the West Seattle bridge to be redone.
• A radar speed trailer at various locations

Home Zone construction after the high bridge opens include:

• Georgetown - Corson Ave South and South Michigan Street raised pedestrian crossing in the slip lane project
• Highland Park - 12th Ave SW and SW Holden Street a new signal and a neighborhood Greenway connection and SW Webster Street walkway between 11th Ave SW and 12th SW

SDOT's Mobility Action Plan updates were offered by Zora too.

Sam Marshall a Data Analyst for SDOT presented some West Seattle Traffic data and low bridge access updates next.

He noted that city wide we are still below pre-covid volumes but are slowly approaching that level. Saturdays are an exception with volumes exceeding the previous levels by as much as 15%.

He pointed out that the low bridge has seen an increase of 24% over the 2020 baseline and West Marginal Way SW at the Duwamish River Trail has seen an incredible 240% increase. Highland Park Way SW at West Marginal Way SW has seen an 88% increase with 35th SW and SW Raymond actually seeing a decrease of 35%. The 1st Ave South Bridge has seen a 21% increase and SR 99 at South Lander has gone down by 23%.

The low bridge access has seen some requests. But Marshall said for the most part people have been very respectful of the process.

Marshall explained that they will be able to accommodate priority users and maintain reliability and resiliency in the corridor... all current low bridge access will remain until the high bridge reopens. They had previously thought they might have to restrict access further with the reopening of Terminal 5.