WSDOT has finally announced the details of their grand opening of the replacement for the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge (which carries WA-520 across Lake Washington from Seattle towards Bellevue). The new bridge is the world's longest floating bridge (surpassing the original span by a few feet) and will open in 4 stages in April:
- Saturday, April 2: Community fun run/walk organized by Virginia Mason
- Sunday, April 3: Bike ride organized by the Cascade Bicycle Club
- Monday, April 11: Westbound traffic shifts to the new bridge
- Monday, April 25: Eastbound traffic shifts to the new bridge
Read more in WSDOT's press release (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/News/2016/01/12_520GrandOpeningCelebration.htm), the celebration website (http://www.520golong.com/) and
The Seattle Times (http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/new-520-bridge-to-open-in-april-walkers-bikes-will-get-to-try-it-first/).
Here's a picture of the old and new bridges I took from Evergreen Point (the eastern end, looking west) in November:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FXY9EIJo.jpg&hash=aed195f863b7d3604d952902f27d6a2e85f786b3)
Holy Christmas, that bridge looks like it got hit with an ugly stick!
Quote from: 707 on January 14, 2016, 02:05:05 AM
Holy Christmas, that bridge looks like it got hit with an ugly stick!
It's not quite finished yet. There's still plenty of aesthetic work to complete.
Wow, I didn't realize it was that close to opening.
Will there be another chance to walk across the old span after it closes to cars before it gets demolished?
Here's the final design. Note the tall lit structures, called "sentinels", which will be "armed with lasers to fend off marauding invaders", as well as "amuse our feline overlords" (1) (https://goo.gl/IPGQmf):
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7094/6871626398_a592d8eb43_b.jpg)
Jokes aside, I think they're just tall things that can look cool at night...
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7268/6871699842_cc39a16dcf_b.jpg)
Quote from: jakeroot on January 14, 2016, 02:58:53 PM
Here's the final design. Note the tall lit structures, called "sentinels", which will be "armed with lasers to fend off marauding invaders", as well as "amuse our feline overlords" (1) (https://goo.gl/IPGQmf):
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7094/6871626398_a592d8eb43_b.jpg)
Jokes aside, I think they're just tall things that can look cool at night...
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7268/6871699842_cc39a16dcf_b.jpg)
That really looks like the Transamerica Pyramid, except in color.
Quote from: kkt on January 14, 2016, 03:27:24 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 14, 2016, 02:58:53 PM
Here's the final design. Note the tall lit structures, called "sentinels", which will be "armed with lasers to fend off marauding invaders", as well as "amuse our feline overlords" (1) (https://goo.gl/IPGQmf):
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7094/6871626398_a592d8eb43_b.jpg)
Jokes aside, I think they're just tall things that can look cool at night...
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7268/6871699842_cc39a16dcf_b.jpg)
That really looks like the Transamerica Pyramid, except in color.
To me, that looks like it could be something from the Wizard of Oz, but then again, Seattle is called the Emerald City for a reason :)
Quote from: Henry on January 15, 2016, 01:04:14 PM
Quote from: kkt on January 14, 2016, 03:27:24 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 14, 2016, 02:58:53 PM
Here's the final design. Note the tall lit structures, called "sentinels", which will be "armed with lasers to fend off marauding invaders", as well as "amuse our feline overlords" (1) (https://goo.gl/IPGQmf):
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7094/6871626398_a592d8eb43_b.jpg)
Jokes aside, I think they're just tall things that can look cool at night...
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7268/6871699842_cc39a16dcf_b.jpg)
That really looks like the Transamerica Pyramid, except in color.
To me, that looks like it could be something from the Wizard of Oz, but then again, Seattle is called the Emerald City for a reason :)
This bridge is on Romulus. It just needs a certain silhouette of a predatory bird on it somewhere.
Will the new inside lane be an HOT Lane?
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 19, 2016, 05:17:04 PM
Will the new inside lane be an HOT Lane?
HOV for now, but perhaps HOT in the future. The bridge itself is tolled so they're probably holding off. Lots of congestion is avoided in the first place with the bridge toll, which varies depending on the time of day.
Quote from: jakeroot on January 14, 2016, 02:58:53 PM
Here's the final design. Note the tall lit structures, called "sentinels", which will be "armed with lasers to fend off marauding invaders", as well as "amuse our feline overlords" (1) (https://goo.gl/IPGQmf):
Thank you, this made my day.
Quote from: Henry on January 15, 2016, 01:04:14 PM
To me, that looks like it could be something from the Wizard of Oz, but then again, Seattle is called the Emerald City for a reason :)
I would be willing to bet a small amount of money down that someone mentioned that in a meeting somewhere along the line, and that is at least part of the reason they are lit green and not some other color.
Quote from: jakeroot on January 19, 2016, 06:23:17 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 19, 2016, 05:17:04 PM
Will the new inside lane be an HOT Lane?
HOV for now, but perhaps HOT in the future. The bridge itself is tolled so they're probably holding off. Lots of congestion is avoided in the first place with the bridge toll, which varies depending on the time of day.
Might be worth pointing out that the 520 tolls, as you said, vary depending on the time of day, that is, they vary on a set schedule. The reason I'm repeating you and stressing it is to point out that it's different from actual dynamic pricing like on the 167 and 405 HOT lanes, where they adjust the toll based on how much traffic is actually on the road (not just how much traffic they expect based on what time it is).
Quote from: Kacie Jane on January 24, 2016, 12:35:16 PM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 19, 2016, 06:23:17 PM
Quote from: The Ghostbuster on January 19, 2016, 05:17:04 PM
Will the new inside lane be an HOT Lane?
HOV for now, but perhaps HOT in the future. The bridge itself is tolled so they're probably holding off. Lots of congestion is avoided in the first place with the bridge toll, which varies depending on the time of day.
Might be worth pointing out that the 520 tolls, as you said, vary depending on the time of day, that is, they vary on a set schedule. The reason I'm repeating you and stressing it is to point out that it's different from actual dynamic pricing like on the 167 and 405 HOT lanes, where they adjust the toll based on how much traffic is actually on the road (not just how much traffic they expect based on what time it is).
Thank you for the clarification (it is important). I think this difference (scheduled tolls versus random tolls) is the reason why most people no longer have any issue with the 520 toll, but are all over the 405 tolls.
I got to go on a tour of the bridge today. Here's the pictures. (https://www.flickr.com/photos/57844255@N03/albums/72157664257854960)
Quote from: jay8g on February 18, 2016, 08:09:02 PM
I got to go on a tour of the bridge today. Here's the pictures. (https://www.flickr.com/photos/57844255@N03/albums/72157664257854960)
Great photos, Jay. Nice to see things coming together.
On a related note, I have placed a gypsy curse on WSDOT for refusing me a tour. I have to, instead, ride my bike over (https://goo.gl/ME7kwt) it in April.
Nice photos! thanks!
A mini-road meetup for the bridge opening (on foot) wouldn't be a half-bad things to have, would it? I'm going to the first day and walking the bridge during the free hours.
Quote from: Bruce on February 19, 2016, 06:38:53 PM
A mini-road meetup for the bridge opening (on foot) wouldn't be a half-bad things to have, would it? I'm going to the first day and walking the bridge during the free hours.
I'm in. Is that run/walk on Saturday?
Quote from: jakeroot on February 19, 2016, 07:07:23 PM
Quote from: Bruce on February 19, 2016, 06:38:53 PM
A mini-road meetup for the bridge opening (on foot) wouldn't be a half-bad things to have, would it? I'm going to the first day and walking the bridge during the free hours.
I'm in. Is that run/walk on Saturday?
The run/walk is early Saturday morning, but the general festivities start at 10 am. Ribboncutting at 10:30 am.
Just checking- are there any closures on the existing bridge? I'm taking a trip to Seattle next week and I plan on taking that bridge pretty often.
Quote from: paulthemapguy on March 04, 2016, 09:45:44 AM
Just checking- are there any closures on the existing bridge? I'm taking a trip to Seattle next week and I plan on taking that bridge pretty often.
It will be closed at the beginning of April to celebrate the opening of the new bridge, but otherwise, there are no planned closures. That said, if a strong wind storm pushes through (unlikely), the bridge can close due to waves. Other than that, the bridge should be wide open.
It opened to walkers and runners today. Tomorrow is a big bike ride.
Re-dedicated in honor of Governor Rosellini, so there's no way to distinguish between the old and new bridges, officially.
Why couldn't they have widened the bridge while they were at it? It's only 6 total lanes (old bridge had 4 total), and considering that this is a tolled bridge and traffic is that bad, they could have at least widened it.
Quote from: noelbotevera on April 03, 2016, 04:31:54 AM
Why couldn't they have widened the bridge while they were at it? It's only 6 total lanes (old bridge had 4 total), and considering that this is a tolled bridge and traffic is that bad, they could have at least widened it.
Because the areas on either side of the bridge have strong opposition (and political clout to boot...Medina on the east side has a ton of billionaires, incl. Bill Gates) to any further widening. Plus the west side has the arboretum and Union Bay (both protected areas), and the interchange with I-5 would become a major pinch point where traffic has to squeeze through 2 lanes.
And traffic really isn't that bad on the bridge because of the tolls. Traffic counts have fallen a bit and there's no real need to increase the number of lanes.
The bridge itself can be widened (with extra pontoons) to support light rail, and that's about it.
So was this the last weekend the bridge will be closed to cars for the foreseeable future?
I walked on the bridge last Saturday. I don't think they expected the amount of people that showed up, but it was fun.
Here's some photos:
(https://instagram.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/t51.2885-15/e35/12120416_1700472113575815_1739164437_n.jpg)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FhEmZ8Ci.jpg&hash=1b7d88ca9bb5604ae54236b9415eca1d77ec6fd6)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FJWvUAAm.jpg&hash=94959f1f89c0b171d84abf0dddfe30504d78e414)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FOvhBcTZ.jpg&hash=ab5c3402ac60b8684b4a292d51dc7c372803b054)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F9yviBPa.jpg&hash=4a10dcc63b21dc8ef847f2e896aa3e687f240fc0)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FpjphwDX.jpg&hash=eba01fc4a6f95734af152ab060a781225defbb9a)
Went canoeing last Thursday.
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FNFk1kpB.jpg&hash=967cb471ce2527e9d72efd125048c0d73757240a)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F0OHFbvl.jpg&hash=9fc40fbcc3a82a5b2ecb18917d7eac1fb70b9f56)
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FdchO5r6.jpg&hash=d4d8c2cb85ad54c198a2f8db80f3db033238bf29)
I can see the bridge from my bedroom window, and the lights haven't been turned on until last Friday. The sentinel colored lights aren't really noticeable from where I live, but the white decorative lights are much brighter than the HPS streetlamps. I have yet to drive on it, but I probably will in the few days.
Quote from: jakeroot on March 04, 2016, 11:24:17 AM
It will be closed at the beginning of April to celebrate the opening of the new bridge, but otherwise, there are no planned closures. That said, if a strong wind storm pushes through (unlikely), the bridge can close due to waves. Other than that, the bridge should be wide open.
The new floating span is supposed to withstand hurricane-forced winds. The road-deck is elevated, so waves will just pass through underneath. They still have to work on the causeways connecting the floating bridge and Seattle, so sporadic road closures are likely in the next 2-3 years until the bridge is completely done. Then there's the Portage Bay bridge replacement and the I-5/SR-520 interchange improvement project, but I don't think the state has funding for those projects.
Quote from: Bruce on April 03, 2016, 11:59:02 AM
And traffic really isn't that bad on the bridge because of the tolls. Traffic counts have fallen a bit and there's no real need to increase the number of lanes.
The bridge itself can be widened (with extra pontoons) to support light rail, and that's about it.
So before the new bridge opened, there's a pinch point at the eastern landing of the bridge going westbound. Between 4 PM and 6 PM, metered traffic from 84th Ave NE causes a backup on SR-520's mainline often extending all the way back to I-405. Now, the pinch point is in the middle of the bridge (since the western approaches aren't done).
Say goodbye to the old Evergreen Point Floating Bridge.
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7113/27455237835_f62cdd834f_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HQ8gFz)
Evergreen Point Floating Bridge west truss dismantling (https://flic.kr/p/HQ8gFz) by SounderBruce (https://www.flickr.com/photos/sounderbruce/), on Flickr
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7391/27355973092_ec9bc8b574_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HFmvJu)
Evergreen Point Floating Bridge and replacement from east approach (https://flic.kr/p/HFmvJu) by SounderBruce (https://www.flickr.com/photos/sounderbruce/), on Flickr
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7404/27383619921_3720bd578f_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HHNdaX)
New Evergreen Point Floating Bridge (https://flic.kr/p/HHNdaX) by SounderBruce (https://www.flickr.com/photos/sounderbruce/), on Flickr
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7281/27455249825_6c8a4822d3_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HQ8kfi)
Dismantling of the old Evergreen Point Floating Bridge (https://flic.kr/p/HQ8kfi) by SounderBruce (https://www.flickr.com/photos/sounderbruce/), on Flickr
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7034/27383625691_f7515a5298_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HHNeTr)
Dismantling of the old Evergreen Point Floating Bridge (https://flic.kr/p/HHNeTr) by SounderBruce (https://www.flickr.com/photos/sounderbruce/), on Flickr
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7256/27383641221_73c0778b06_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HHNjvc)
Dismantling of the old Evergreen Point Floating Bridge (https://flic.kr/p/HHNjvc) by SounderBruce (https://www.flickr.com/photos/sounderbruce/), on Flickr
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7078/26847923603_693bd854fb_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/GUsCjx)
New Evergreen Point Floating Bridge (https://flic.kr/p/GUsCjx) by SounderBruce (https://www.flickr.com/photos/sounderbruce/), on Flickr
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7018/27178775940_f7f2e70383_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HpGkcb)
New Evergreen Point Floating Bridge (https://flic.kr/p/HpGkcb) by SounderBruce (https://www.flickr.com/photos/sounderbruce/), on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7585/27178783480_d491155a22_b.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/HpGnrb)
New Evergreen Point Floating Bridge (https://flic.kr/p/HpGnrb) by SounderBruce (https://www.flickr.com/photos/sounderbruce/), on Flickr
The first of the 31 pontoons of the old bridge is being floated through the ship canal right now.
https://twitter.com/wsdot_520/status/755894870514937856
With the old bridge basically all but gone, those lit-up sentinels really stand out. I'd love to have seen more stylized support columns to go along with those futuristic sentinels, but hey, it's still a pretty damn cool bridge.
photo via WSDOT flickr (https://www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/670/31484592913_bb884b4a18_h.jpg)
Now that one bridge is built, it is time to add a second...LOL! Seriously though, Seattle traffic has got to rank up there with the rest of congested metro areas in this country. How much capacity can be added in such a narrow isthmus? It seems like WSDOT has done about all they can with I-5 short of paving the entire city into a 100 lane freeway. When I look at Seattle and SoCal, I see designs emerging for metroplexes that I never would have imagined in the 20th century. It will be interesting to see which ones really work and how they get integrated with public transit additions so people can keep on the move.
Rick
Quote from: nexus73 on January 16, 2017, 03:34:24 PM
Now that one bridge is built, it is time to add a second...LOL! Seriously though, Seattle traffic has got to rank up there with the rest of congested metro areas in this country. How much capacity can be added in such a narrow isthmus? It seems like WSDOT has done about all they can with I-5 short of paving the entire city into a 100 lane freeway. When I look at Seattle and SoCal, I see designs emerging for metroplexes that I never would have imagined in the 20th century. It will be interesting to see which ones really work and how they get integrated with public transit additions so people can keep on the move.
WSDOT seems to be a bit bi-polar when approaching ways to solve congestion in Seattle. On one hand, they're working tirelessly to add HOV/bus/toll facilities to major roadways that don't currently have them, so as to ensure faster travel for those who are choosing a more economical transport choice (bus, carpool, motorbike, etc). But, on the other hand, they are very willing to add general purpose capacity (a decidedly less economical mode of transport). Two new freeways in the Seattle area will begin construction in a couple years, and neither, at this stage, will include any sort of transit/HOV accommodation, which is definitely unfortunate (perhaps the legislature will assign more money to the projects to get them built out completely from the get-go).
As for the 520's capacity, even with the lane drop approaching the Montlake area, traffic seems to be flowing pretty well on the new bridge (likely due to the addition of shoulders and HOV lanes). There were several studies before building the new bridge that suggested 8-lane alternatives (3+HOV on either side), but it was determined that it would encourage too many additional vehicles to use the bridge, would create massive tail-backs approaching the 5 (where the interchange is less than appropriate even for the 6-lane bridge), and was prohibitively expensive anyways.
There was a proposal on the table to add a second, parallel bridge to 520 as early as the late 1960s. Would have made things even more difficult by making two bridges get replaced. I wonder how the WSDOT of the future will tackle this when the I-90 floating bridges need replacement.
The easy way to add more capacity to the Seattle isthmus is obviously digging tunnels and laying track down. :-D
Short of that, prioritizing efficient modes like we're doing (but even more drastically, like adding bus lanes or converting HOV to bus-only *cough*I-5 between Seattle and Lynnwood*cough*) is the right move for now.
Quote from: jakeroot on January 16, 2017, 03:50:58 PM
Two new freeways in the Seattle area will begin construction in a couple years, and neither, at this stage, will include any sort of transit/HOV accommodation, which is definitely unfortunate (perhaps the legislature will assign more money to the projects to get them built out completely from the get-go).
A strictly freeway project w/o some transit provisions
is indeed an unusual undertaking for the Seattle area. Are there any published & available plans for these projects -- and are the general traffic lanes only an initial phase for a more comprehensive corridor concept in the long term?
Quote from: sparker on January 17, 2017, 04:52:35 AM
Quote from: jakeroot on January 16, 2017, 03:50:58 PM
Two new freeways in the Seattle area will begin construction in a couple years, and neither, at this stage, will include any sort of transit/HOV accommodation, which is definitely unfortunate (perhaps the legislature will assign more money to the projects to get them built out completely from the get-go).
A strictly freeway project w/o some transit provisions is indeed an unusual undertaking for the Seattle area. Are there any published & available plans for these projects -- and are the general traffic lanes only an initial phase for a more comprehensive corridor concept in the long term?
These two new freeways are on corridors that have been planned for at least fifty years. They include extending the WA 509 freeway south to I-5 in Des Moines, and extending the WA 167 freeway northwest from its current southern terminus in Puyallup to I-5 and then to the WA 509 freeway in the Port of Tacoma area. These projects have been combined into a Puget Sound Gateway (http://wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Gateway/) megaproject, which apparently WSDOT has applied for a FASTLANE grant (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Gateway/fastlane2016.htm) for this project.
Quote from: compdude787 on January 17, 2017, 03:11:19 PM
These two new freeways are on corridors that have been planned for at least fifty years. They include extending the WA 509 freeway south to I-5 in Des Moines, and extending the WA 167 freeway northwest from its current southern terminus in Puyallup to I-5 and then to the WA 509 freeway in the Port of Tacoma area. These projects have been combined into a Puget Sound Gateway (http://wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Gateway/) megaproject, which apparently WSDOT has applied for a FASTLANE grant (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/Gateway/fastlane2016.htm) for this project.
From the admittedly overview-oriented map supplied, it looks as if the southern end of the 509 project actually utilizes part of WA 516; the map indicates the corridor concept working here extends it at least to WA 167. Does this mean that the "Gateway" project intends to utilize 167 as a relief route for I-5 -- at least south of the new corridor? And would any expansion or enhancement of either I-5 or WA 167 south of the corridor be envisioned in order to accommodate any additional traffic coming from 509/516? Just curious!
Quote from: sparker on January 17, 2017, 04:00:13 PM
From the admittedly overview-oriented map supplied, it looks as if the southern end of the 509 project actually utilizes part of WA 516; the map indicates the corridor concept working here extends it at least to WA 167. Does this mean that the "Gateway" project intends to utilize 167 as a relief route for I-5 -- at least south of the new corridor? And would any expansion or enhancement of either I-5 or WA 167 south of the corridor be envisioned in order to accommodate any additional traffic coming from 509/516? Just curious!
As far as I know, the Valley Freeway (the 167) was built to accommodate increased growth in the Kent/Auburn/Puyallup Valleys. The extension from Hwy 161 to the 5 (and past the 5 to the 509, which will be called "509 Spur") is intended to connect the Port of Tacoma with these commerce centers (i.e. warehouses). The 509 extension, south from S 188 St to Hwy 516, where the intersection will be re-configured into a signalized square-about, may or may not be intended as a relief route for the 5, but it'll also help with SeaTac airport growth (I believe the new 509 freeway will include provisions for a new south airport entry).
The 167 may have, at its very beginning, been envisioned as a relief route for the 5, but the freeway has far outgrown its capacity since that point, so that's definitely not the plan anymore.
While the new bridge is nice, I do miss driving on the old bridge.
Quote from: Henry on January 18, 2017, 10:24:28 AM
While the new bridge is nice, I do miss driving on the old bridge.
The early 20th century bridges were pretty cool (Aurora, Fremont, University) but the latter 20th century... I could take or leave most of them. The old 520 bridge was certainly a nice bridge, but it wasn't the first floating bridge, nor was it the best. It just didn't do anything special, except close with alarming frequency any time it was windy. So, yeah, I'll take the new bridge.
Yeah, mostly I remember waves breaking over the side of the bridge and into my lane and wondering how deep a wave it would take to wash my car into the guard rail. I wouldn't call the old bridge nice, exactly. Built on the cheap and it showed.
Nice bridges don't have to be replaced in 50 years.
Final section of the old bridge on its way out of Lake Washington (via the Hiram Chittenden locks) on 14 January:
photo via WSDOT Flickr (https://www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/322/32013989070_bd826ce93a_h.jpg)
Sadly the one time I decided to wait at Ballard Locks for one of these sections to appear, it was delayed until after sunset. Really wish they had stuck to a better schedule.
Quote from: sparker on January 17, 2017, 04:00:13 PM
From the admittedly overview-oriented map supplied, it looks as if the southern end of the 509 project actually utilizes part of WA 516; the map indicates the corridor concept working here extends it at least to WA 167.
Better map here: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/SR509FreightCongestionRelief/default.htm
Quote from: NE2 on January 19, 2017, 01:41:15 AM
Quote from: sparker on January 17, 2017, 04:00:13 PM
From the admittedly overview-oriented map supplied, it looks as if the southern end of the 509 project actually utilizes part of WA 516; the map indicates the corridor concept working here extends it at least to WA 167.
Better map here: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/SR509FreightCongestionRelief/default.htm
From this, it looks as if WA 509 merges with I-5 somewhat north of the WA 516 interchange with I-5 itself receiving some sort of enhancement (extra/HOV/HOT? lanes) southward for a few miles; it
doesn't appear that 516 isn't involved in the project except perhaps at its I-5 interchange. Such would mean that (a) no real or implied connection to WA 167 exists within the WA 509 project description, and (b) the WA 167 extension project is a fully separate entity in most respects.
... http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/SR509FreightCongestionRelief/Photos/default.htm
Thank you, NE2. The aerial photo alone speaks volumes: looks like WA 509 is being reconfigured into a SEA relief route, giving a 2nd and direct-southern access to the airport complex, and relieving WA 518 of the sole traffic burden there. The WA 167 extension is then a stand-alone project to connect that route (and its proximity to distribution facilities in the Green River valley) to the Port of Tacoma, providing additional access to & from I-5 in the process. Considering the expansion and increased usage of that port in the past couple of decades, such a connection is likely overdue. Barring an expansion of the WA 18 corridor, these are likely the last new freeway projects in the SEATAC region for a long time!
It could lead a bypass of I-5's bottleneck through downtown Seattle, too, once the tunnel is open. I-5 northbound at Kent, to 509, to 99 in Georgetown, to the Aurora Bridge. Although it's expressway rather than freeway most of the way, a lot of the time it moves faster than I-5.
Quote from: kkt on January 19, 2017, 01:27:56 PM
It could lead a bypass of I-5's bottleneck through downtown Seattle, too, once the tunnel is open. I-5 northbound at Kent, to 509, to 99 in Georgetown, to the Aurora Bridge. Although it's expressway rather than freeway most of the way, a lot of the time it moves faster than I-5.
A couple of weeks ago, on my way down from Vancouver (going home to Tacoma), I got stuck in that usual congestion just barely north of Northgate. I decided to bail and cut through some neighborhoods, where I made my way over to Aurora. I took that all the way down, across the Viaduct, across the First Ave S Bridge, but I switched over to 99/599 at that point. We were HOV, so I was able to use the 599 HOV ramp, and we merged straight back into 5's HOV. Shaved about 20 minutes off, by my estimate.
Quote from: sparker on January 19, 2017, 12:09:31 PM
Barring an expansion of the WA 18 corridor, these are likely the last new freeway projects in the SEATAC region for a long time!
We will definitely see 18 expanded to full-freeway status within twenty years, but I don't see too many other freeway projects taking off. The 167/509 projects are massive undertakings, not seen since (probably) I-90 being finished in the early 90s (the 167 was fully freeway by the late 80s, and the 509 freeway was finished to S 188 St by the early 80s).
The only other freeway that the region
might see in the next fifty years would be a total eastern bypass of Seattle, via either an I-7 or I-605 designation. Studies have been undertaken in the past to study the practicality of any possible route, and while all have been shown to not be worth the cost/effort, regional politicians may revisit the issue if Seattle traffic really starts to take its toll on the economy of the region, amongst other things. Realistically, we'll probably have 180 mph bullet trains rocketing between Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland, before anything like a total bypass ever takes off.
WSDOT Flickr (https://www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/36053887235/in/dateposted/)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4319/36053887235_89f59a4c5d_o.jpg)
Picture of the 520 Bridge maintenance facility, situated directly below the eastern end of the bridge in Medina:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4335/37035726532_eb7ea4c82a_o.jpg)
WSDOT Flickr (https://www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/37035726532/in/dateposted/)
The bike trail has finally opened fully, so now one can ride from Seattle to Evergreen Point.
https://twitter.com/dongho_chang/status/944295125013880832
https://www.theurbanist.org/2017/12/22/sr-520-cross-lake-trail-opens-improving-options-walk-bike/
Now that we are all comfortable with the new west approach bridge (north), it's time for WSDOT to switch it to bi-directional use. The south side, low-level approach will be closed on October 11 and demolished to make way for a new approach structure. The HOV lanes will now end prematurely for a few years to squeeze four lanes onto the bridge.
(https://i.imgur.com/K0pH5QG.png)
WSDOT is also re-doing the Montlake interchange, which means a loss of connections on a rotating basis. The end result:
(https://i.imgur.com/Pw63L7Y.jpg)
2023 is going to be a great year:
* the 520 will be almost completely rebuilt, minus the Portage Bay section (a big minus, but that'll come soon enough)
* significant progress will have been made on the 167 and 509 projects
* Link blue line to near-Redmond!
2024 looks brilliant too:
* 405 ETL lanes to Renton
* Link red line extension to Federal Way
* Link red/blue line extension to Lynnwood
I'm sure there's plenty of other things too. I hope I'm not moving away any time soon. Too much exciting stuff going on!
I'm looking forward to 2021 and the light rail completion to Northgate! Rail station about 10 minutes walk from my house! Downtown in 30 minutes even in rush hour! (Currently 30 minutes in rush hour MIGHT get you across the Ship Canal.)
2024 is going to be mind-blowing. I hope they do a simultaneous opening of Lynnwood and Federal Way just so that the first train can party at both ends of the region.
I don't want to stay in Marysville until then, but I guess I'd be fine with somewhere in South County with Link.
Another old (but seemingly current) plan for the configuration of SR 520 around Montlake for the next few months. The temporary Lk Washington Blvd ramp is pretty wild.
(https://s3.amazonaws.com/stb-wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/17220522/Montlake_temp_lane.png)
Cool time lapse views of the Montlake project. (https://public.earthcam.net/tJ90CoLmq7TzrY396Yd88B9B2qPMb6E316d3h59C-OM!/sr_520__-_montlake_project)
I just saw recently that the Montlake Lid is getting its girders placed, and traffic is to be shifted over on top of the lid to replace the exiting overpasses once the lid is structurally sound. I am very interested to see how traffic is going to be shifted, as it seems like a couple of very tight turns.
https://www.q13fox.com/news/sr-520-bridge-over-lake-washington-to-be-closed-in-both-directions-this-weekend
Update on the SR-520 is closed to make upgrades according on WA-520.
Quote from: bing101 on March 06, 2021, 10:33:16 AM
https://www.q13fox.com/news/sr-520-bridge-over-lake-washington-to-be-closed-in-both-directions-this-weekend
Update on the SR-520 is closed to make upgrades according on WA-520.
They are continuing installation of the girders to support the Montlake Lid.
I got some video passing underneath them last Friday. Let's see if I can upload them.
Quote from: jakeroot on March 06, 2021, 01:17:39 PM
I got some video passing underneath them last Friday. Let's see if I can upload them.
And here we go:
https://youtu.be/Du9_jFk_4SQ
Thanks! Looking forward to the lid being done.
Nice video Jake, looks like it's progressing nicely! Admittedly I'm excited to see the signs go up since I had a bit of a hand in reviewing them though that's definitely still a ways out.
Thanks fellas!
Speaking of the signs, you can actually hear me laughing early on at the faded UW logo. Not sure what caused it, but hopefully they fix the issue for the next series of signs.
That generation of UW logo can't fade fast enough for me. Great logo for intercollegiate athletics, but I wish they'd go back to the columns for UW as a whole.
Quote from: kkt on March 09, 2021, 04:08:24 PM
That generation of UW logo can't fade fast enough for me. Great logo for intercollegiate athletics, but I wish they'd go back to the columns for UW as a whole.
Just the 'W'? I thought that logo had, in one way or another, been the logo for sometime now?
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/93/38/d0/9338d0cc7c4bf41ace8595ab92bceb5f.jpg)
Those are the football/intercollegiate sports logos. During the 1990s a logo based on the four columns of the sylvan theatre (and featured on the UW coat of arms) was used as the university's logo. A previous UW president who has since gone on to head the NCAA didn't think the university needed a logo separate from the football team, so they created an administration team to seek out and destroy any remaining use of, or stationery with, the columns logo.
Quote from: kkt on March 09, 2021, 11:58:51 PM
Those are the football/intercollegiate sports logos. During the 1990s a logo based on the four columns of the sylvan theatre (and featured on the UW coat of arms) was used as the university's logo. A previous UW president who has since gone on to head the NCAA didn't think the university needed a logo separate from the football team, so they created an administration team to seek out and destroy any remaining use of, or stationery with, the columns logo.
Hmm, I see. Was it related to the seal?
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/58/University_of_Washington_seal.svg)
As a UW-Tacoma student, the columns never personally meant much to me. In fact, I only learned of their existence during graduation last year, which was virtual and broadcast from those columns.
Quote from: jakeroot on March 10, 2021, 01:15:31 AM
Quote from: kkt on March 09, 2021, 11:58:51 PM
Those are the football/intercollegiate sports logos. During the 1990s a logo based on the four columns of the sylvan theatre (and featured on the UW coat of arms) was used as the university's logo. A previous UW president who has since gone on to head the NCAA didn't think the university needed a logo separate from the football team, so they created an administration team to seek out and destroy any remaining use of, or stationery with, the columns logo.
Hmm, I see. Was it related to the seal?
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/58/University_of_Washington_seal.svg)
As a UW-Tacoma student, the columns never personally meant much to me. In fact, I only learned of their existence during graduation last year, which was virtual and broadcast from those columns.
Yes, the columns were used partly because of the seal, and they used a couple of variations as a logo, one with four columns and one with just one.
I see why it wouldn't mean much. Maybe that was part of the reason for adopting the W.
The Montlake Bridge is closing to vehicular traffic for a month beginning in August for long-overdue maintenance. Wonder how much strain it will place on the side streets along Portage Bay.
https://wsdotblog.blogspot.com/2021/03/seattles-montlake-bridge-getting-some.html
Some, but August is a dead time... most UW summer classes are over and fall term hasn't started yet.
Quote from: kkt on March 24, 2021, 12:59:31 AM
Some, but August is a dead time... most UW summer classes are over and fall term hasn't started yet.
Plus, who knows if UW will even be doing in-person instruction. We've been online-only for a year now. Spring quarter is already confirmed to be online-only.
By fall, it seems quite possible that enough people will be vaccinated that there will be herd immunity. Unless a variant that doesn't mind the vaccines pops up.
WSDOT is finally preparing to open the eastbound approach bridge from the Montlake side. It's now being used by onramp traffic from the Montlake interchange and will be open to all eastbound travelers next month. The westbound bridge will be widened to its final configuration (HOV + 2 GP + actual shoulders) later this year.
https://wsdotblog.blogspot.com/2023/07/new-day-new-way-montlake.html