The SR 520 floating bridge - in his own words

The SR 520 floating bridge is a key piece of Washington's transportation system. It is used by an estimated 115,000 vehicles every day. But it is vulnerable to strong wind and waves, and crews are always prepared to close the bridge to traffic if conditions become too severe. A Washington State Department of Transportation bridge crew member takes us inside the bridge to places few get to see to explain what it takes to close the bridge in bad weather and how the bridge can "talk" to them in a storm.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• wsdot
• SR 520 Bridge

[RobertSeattle]

One of the more surreal things you can experience as a car driver is driving on 520 on a windy day and getting hit by a wave. Will the new bridge offer this experience? :-)

[wsdot]

@RobertSeattle Probably not. The new floating bridge will be about 10 feet higher above the water than today and so it will better protect traffic from waves when the winds kick up.

[caa1000]

I always thought there was a boat below the 520!

[Seattlecarnut]

All that matters is that the bridge needs to be replaced with a new bridge.

[Seattlecarnut]

The bridge has been around for 47 yrs. Serving its purpose well. Like the Alaskan Way Viaduct, it has lived way past its useful years and needs to be replaced with a new bridge. Sure, it'll be expensive, what project isn't? But I think it needs to be done. We'll be the ones who will be paying for its replacement and maintenance. If we need to take a ferry across Lk. Washington in the meantime, so be it. If we have to go around, using I-90, so be it! All that matters is that the bridge be replace