WEST SEATTLE HIGH-RISE BRIDGE PROJECT June 2021 WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE REPLACEMENT STUDY

OVERVIEW As we advance work to repair the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge (high bridge), we continue to plan for an eventual replacement. Once contractors complete the necessary repairs to the existing bridge, we have full confidence it will last for decades. Because of BACKGROUND the complex and lengthy process Historically, the West Seattle for goods and supporting the required to design and plan the High-Rise Bridge is the City’s regional economy. In March 2020, eventual replacement, we are most-used bridge arterial, we closed the high bridge in the continuing with a replacement carrying an average of over interest of public safety. We made bridge planning study. At the 100,000 travelers a day, including this decision based on regular end of the study, we will better 19,000 bus riders. The bridge was inspections of the bridge, which understand the needs of the built in 1984 and has since been a showed rapidly growing cracks. corridor, including bicycle, major route for moving people and Since the closure, we’ve wasted pedestrian, and transit options, goods to and from West Seattle no time, working to repair the and providing connections with high bridge and to plan and as well as location opportunities. neighboring communities, such build projects across affected Having a planning study as the Duwamish Valley and neighborhoods that will reduce completed will also allow the SODO. In addition, the bridge impacts on local communities. City to respond much more and surrounding corridor are Repairs are now underway, and quickly in the unlikely event a critical connection with the we expect work to be complete of another emergency. Port of Seattle, serving as a path in mid-2022.

WHAT’S A BRIDGE PLANNING STUDY? Our teams conduct bridge planning studies for priority City-managed bridges that are functionally obsolete or structurally deficient. Recent examples are the Magnolia Bridge and Ballard Bridge planning studies. The high bridge was not slated for a study until last year, when rapidly growing cracks caused the emergency closure of the bridge. Now we consider it a priority for long-term replacement and a bridge planning study. 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 MILESTONES

West Seattle high bridge Closed to all traffic Scheduled opening of Estimated end of repaired open to traffic 2020 the repaired bridge bridge service life 1984 2022 2060

PROJECT INFORMATION AND CONTACT [email protected] | (206) 400-7511 www.seattle.gov/westseattlebridge REPLACEMENT CONCEPT LOCATIONS FOR STUDY As part of the study, we will focus on 4 replacement concept locations to determine which will best meet the needs of West Seattle and the region. Our team will begin by researching and identifying 4 potential locations within the vicinity of existing bridge, including: ■ North of the existing high bridge ■ South of the existing high bridge ■ In alignment with the existing high bridge

■ Below in a tunnel WHAT’S NEXT? These 4 location concepts were As the team further develops the consider potential impacts and chosen for further study to span location alternatives and criteria opportunities. We will report out the range of practical replacement for evaluating them, we will on the initial screening of the options, allowing us to explore coordinate closely with adjacent long-term replacement concepts and compare them to determine projects, including those being in September, and the study how we can best serve West completed by Sound Transit and findings and recommendations Seattle and the region. the Port of Seattle, in order to at the end of the year.

REPLACEMENT PLANNING STUDY SCHEDULE 2021 June Q3 Q4

■ Launch high bridge ■ Feasibility findings ■ Final planning study replacement planning ■ Introduce core concepts scope and schedule ■ Draft planning study

GET INVOLVED WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU! We’re committed to keeping you ■ Email or call us to share your thoughts at informed of our progress on the [email protected] or (206) 400‑7511 planning work as it moves forward. Invite us to meet virtually with your group or organization At key milestones of the technical ■ feasibility study, we will be sharing ■ Visit our webpage to sign up for weekly email updates: our progress with the community. www.seattle.gov/WestSeattleBridge

PROJECT INFORMATION AND CONTACT [email protected] | (206) 400-7511 www.seattle.gov/westseattlebridge