Bridge construction is nearly complete. The opening time was slightly delayed because of the need to have 3 days of mostly dry weather above a certain ambient temperature. This was necessary for the special high-durability concrete they are using to surface the bridge roadway.
The bridge is expected to open April 15, 2011!
Metro has announced they will go ahead and start servicing 15th Avenue NE again as soon as the construction is complete and the bridge reopens.
Starting on Monday, May 17, 2010, SDOT will close the 15th Avenue NE Bridge to all traffic, including vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians for the start of construction. The bridge, located on 15th Avenue NE at NE 105th Street, across Thornton Creek, will remain closed throughout the 11-month construction period.
SDOT is undertaking this project to make necessary structural repairs and correct erosion problems along the slope of the ravine under the bridge.
· Traffic will be diverted to Roosevelt Way NE, Lake City Way NE/SR 522, and Northgate Way during construction. Signs announcing the closure and detour routes will be posted throughout the area.
· Local access on 15th Avenue NE north of the work area (between NE 106th and Northgate Way) will be maintained. Drivers must access this area from Northgate Way.
· Local access on 15th Avenue south of the work area (to NE 104th Street) will be maintained. Drivers must access this area from Lake City Way.
· Closure signs and information flyers will be posted at each end of the bridge to help pedestrians and bicyclists identify alternate routes.
Questions? Concerns?
SDOT is committed to working with the community to address community concerns about construction activities and detour routes. Please contact Maribel Cruz, SDOT Project Communications at (206) 684-7963 or maribel.cruz@seattle.gov if you have questions.
BACKGROUND:
Beginning as early as March 2010, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will close the 15th Avenue NE Bridge to all traffic so that crews can make necessary structural repairs and correct erosion problems along the slope of the ravine under the bridge. The bridge is slated to be out of operation for approximately 11 months. Due to age and increased traffic volumes, the bridge has deteriorated and needs to be repaired to ensure safe travel across Thornton Creek.
Metro bus routes 73, 77, and 373 will be rerouted starting February 6, 2010 in preparation for the start of construction. The bus routes are changing before construction begins and the bridge is closed to coincide with Metro’s scheduled winter service change. For the most recent route change information and route maps, visit metro.kingcounty.gov or call Metro Rider Information at (206) 553-3000.
During construction, the bridge will be closed to all traffic, including cars, trucks, buses, bicycles and pedestrians. Traffic will be diverted to Roosevelt Way NE, Lake City Way NE/SR 522, and Northgate Way during the bridge closure period. Signs announcing the closure and detour routes will be posted throughout the area, with closure signs posted as far north as Pinehurst Way NE and as far south as Lake City Way and NE 80th Street. Local access on 15th Avenue NE north of the work area (between NE 106th and Northgate Way) will be maintained. Drivers must access this area from Northgate Way. Local access on 15th Avenue south of the work area (to NE 104th Street) will be maintained. Drivers must access this area from Lake City Way. Residential streets will be unaffected by this closure. Please see map for details.
The bridge will also close to pedestrian and bicycle traffic during construction. Closure signs and information flyers will be posted at each end of the bridge to help pedestrians and cyclists identify the detour route.
A specific bridge closure date will be announced when the construction contractor is on board and final plans are developed. More detailed information will be provided in a newsletter mailing to be mailed to area residents in late February 2010. The newsletter will also be available on the project website.
For more information, please visit the project website contact Maribel Cruz, SDOT Project Communications at (206) 684-7963 or via e-mail at maribel.cruz@seattle.gov.
Detour Route Map
Original posting:
It turns out, according to the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), that the bridge over Thornton Creek on 15th NE near NE 105th is in terrible shape. It has been monitored 24/7 for almost six years now for cracks in the foundation. While the bridge doesn't have as much traffic as other bridges in need of repair across the city, the shape of the bridge is such that the city is planning on a major renovation starting summer 2009.
Renovations will last 10-12 months, with the bridge being closed to all traffic for 2-4 months. The bridge will be one lane for an additional length of time. Metro will be re-routing the bus routes on 15th during this time. Because of the major impact of this on our neighborhood, we've created this web page to provide additional information.
The MLCC has requested a seat at the table when discussing Metro route changes. If you have some input on this, contact our Land Use & Transportation Committee (LUTC) Chair Marc Phillips.
The one certain thing on the project is the bridge itself will not get wider.
SDOT has put together a two-page PDF that described some basics about the project. We're still in the early stages. Click here to access the PDF file.
They've also promised to do additional outreach. To keep posted on this project via e-mails from us, please join our Land Use & Transportation e-mail list. You can click the red box to the right to start that process.
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