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Fauntleroy Expressway Seismic Retrofit Project
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Construction Update: 02/23/2012
No More Nighttime Fauntleroy Expressway Closures
The contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation on the Fauntleroy Expressway, the raised roadway at the west end of the West Seattle Bridge, completed nighttime work on Tuesday, February 22nd. No further full closures of the raised roadway are expected for this project.
The contractor has been strengthening the structure to make it more likely to withstand the force of a major earthquake. Upgrades to the structure have included strengthening the columns with steel jackets, strengthening the pile caps, adding additional longitudinal restrainers and replacing the bearing pads. The latter work item is what required the nighttime closures.
The work remaining consists primarily of the installation, grouting and painting of the steel jackets around the columns. This work is expected to be completed by this spring. Short-term lane restrictions to both east and westbound traffic on surface Southwest Spokane Street should be expected to continue for this work.
Detour on SW Avalon Way at SW Spokane Street
Northbound traffic on SW Avalon Way will be restricted on Friday, February 24th from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
During these times the following detour for SW Avalon Way will be in place:
- Northbound motorist traveling on SW Avalon Way will be detoured to eastbound SW Spokane Street. They will then be directed to perform a u-turn at 26th Avenue SW onto westbound SW Spokane Street and then north on Harbor Avenue SW.
- Northbound trucks and Metro buses traveling on SW Avalon Way will be flagged through the work zone. During these times southbound Harbor Avenue SW will experience short delays at SW Spokane Street.
- The SW Spokane Street on-ramp to the West Seattle Bridge will remain open.
For information on changes to bus service, look for Rider Alert notices at bus stops, visit Metro Online at www.kingcounty.gov/metro, or call Metro Customer Information at (206) 553-3000.
If you have any questions, or would like to subscribe to the Fauntleroy Expressway Email Update, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Bob Derry, Community Communications Officer, bob@stephersonassociates.com, (206) 250-2865
Maribel Cruz, Project Communications Lead, Maribel.Cruz@seattle.gov, (206) 684-7963 |
Project History
The Fauntleroy Expressway spans over SW Admiral Way, Harbor Ave SW, SW Avalon Way, SW Manning St., and local railroad tracks that access the adjacent steel mill. First built in 1963, it was designed by the Seattle Engineering Department, the precursor to the Seattle Department of Transportation. The Expressway carries traffic between the West Seattle Freeway and Fauntleroy Way SW and is approximately 2527 feet long.
Project Description
Fauntleroy Expressway Bridge |
During the first phase of the seismic retrofit project, completed in 1994, column jackets were erected around select columns, and post tensioning was added to the supports. Longitudinal restrainers were also included to interconnect the roadway over each support.
Second phase construction activity began in September 2011 and is anticipated to be substantially completed by the end of the second quarter of 2012. This phase, estimated to cost $2.7 million, will upgrade the structure by strengthening the columns with steel jackets, strengthening the pile caps, replacing the bearing pads and adding longitudinal restrainers. Once completed, the seismic retrofitting improvements will decrease the probability that the Fauntleroy Expressway will collapse after a large magnitude earthquake.
For a cross-section of the bridge diagramming where the work is to be done, click here.
Traffic Impacts
During the installation of the new bearing pads, traffic on the Expressway will be impacted on some nights and weekends. Closures of the Expressway will occur intermittently and detour routes around the work area will be in effect.
What to expect during closures:
- During Expressway closures a minimum of one on-ramp and one off-ramp to and from the Fauntleroy Expressway will always remain open.
- The Delridge Way Southwest on- and off- ramps will be accessible throughout the project.
- Additional signage will be utilized to ensure motorists are aware of and able to access the available ramps.
- Signed detour routes will utilize existing arterials to minimize “residential cut-throughs.”
- Due to this project’s varied construction conditions, closure schedules are subject to change.
- Uniformed police officers will be on site as needed to keep traffic moving.
- Closures will not occur during peak travel hours.
Project Funding
 This project is funded by Bridging the Gap, a nine-year levy for transportation maintenance and improvements. Seattle voters passed the $365 million levy in November 2006. The goal of the program is to create a strong foundation for Seattle’s transportation future by reducing the infrastructure backlog and investing in major transportation projects.
Public Outreach
View from SW Admiral Way |
We are working closely throughout the project with local government, institutions, community groups and businesses, as well as transportation agencies and nearby neighbors, to gather information and help ease construction impacts.
During construction we will provide information about the project to the public and keep neighbors engaged through regular e-mail updates. If you have any questions, or would like to subscribe to the Fauntleroy Expressway Email Update, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Fauntleroy Expressway Project Team:
Bob Derry
Community Communications Officer
206.250.2865.
bob@stephersonassociates.com
Maribel Cruz
Project Communications Lead
206.684.7963
Maribel.Cruz@Seattle.Gov
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