The 45th Street Viaduct, located on the northeast corner of the UW campus, was one of SDOT’s last wooden structures. SDOT has one left and is working towards none!
Seattle is a city of bridges which provide critical links between neighborhoods and commercial areas. 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.
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 1,700 repairs have been made to bridges across the city – more than 260 this year alone – and two bridges were painted in 2012. Making smaller, but needed repairs will help extend the life of bridge, and keep it open to all traffic.
The 45th Street Viaduct today after major reconstruction which was funded largely by the voter-approved Bridging the Gap initiative.
In addition, the BRRP has completed significant work on five bridges and is nearing completion of the sixth project – Airport Way over ARGO Railroad Yard. Major replacement and rehabilitation projects have included: East Duwamish Waterway Bridge, Dr. Jose Rizal Bridge, NE 15th at 105th Street Bridge and NE 45th Street Viaduct Replacement.
The BSRP has completed two retrofits and the final projects of the seismic retrofit program funded by 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.
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.