The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) operates and maintains over 149 bridges throughout Seattle, including four movable bridges. With financial support from the Bridging the Gap (BTG) transportation initiative, SDOT is making important repairs and upgrades on many of its bridges. Each of these bridges provides key links to our neighborhoods and business districts.
The BTG program provides funding to four bridge programs – Bridge Rehabilitation and Replacement (BRRP), Seismic Retrofit (BSRP), Bridge Painting and Bridge Structure Maintenance. Each program plays a key role in extending the life of a bridge or making it stronger and able to withstand the elements and natural disasters.
Since BTG began in 2007, more than 2,029 repairs have been made to bridges across the city – more than 215 this year. Making smaller, but needed repairs will help extend the life of bridge and keep it open to all traffic.
The BRRP has completed significant work on six bridges. Major replacement and rehabilitation projects have included: East Duwamish Waterway Bridge, Dr. Jose Rizal Bridge, NE 15th at 105th Street Bridge, NE 45th Street Viaduct Replacement and Airport Way over ARGO Railroad Yard.
The BSRP has completed two retrofits and the final projects as part of BTG are underway – King Street Station Bridge and Ballard Bridge. Seismic retrofit work has been completed on the South Albro Place Bridge over Airport Way and on the Fauntleroy Expressway.
The BRRP and BSRP program have experienced big successes through the first part of BTG and those successes are paying off in the long run. The groups have not only met their BTG deliverables, but they have seen significant cost savings and have added two additional bridge projects to their work program: Fairview Avenue North and Yesler Way over Fourth Avenue.
Maintaining our bridges for safe passage is crucial and thanks to BTG, SDOT is able to fulfill this top priority. For information about BTG please visit the web page.
