The SunBreak » 520 bridge

Reminder: 520 Bridge Closed for the Weekend

Michael van Baker — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 23:37:34 +0000

The Washington Department of Transportation reminds you that they're closing the 520 bridge for construction this weekend, July 12th to 15th, from 11 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. In conjunction with that I-405 northbound through Bellevue will be closed as well, starting at 10 p.m. tonight.

Both of WSDOT’s Seattle Megaprojects Off to a Bumpy Start

Michael van Baker — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:36:47 +0000

For most of 2012, WSDOT was watchdogged by KOMO News because of cracks found in new pontoons for the new 520 bridge. Now the Seattle Times reports that Bertha, the 7,000-ton tunnel boring machine, purpose-built for digging the SR 99 tunnel beneath Seattle, sustained damage during its initial testing in Japan.

How 520’s Toll Revenue Differs from WSDOT’s 2011 Projections

Michael van Baker — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 18:54:04 +0000

Back of the envelope calculations would seem to show that toll revenue has exceeded expectations by more than that $3 million, certainly, but WSDOT says "right on target." If you take them at their word, this would indicate that the tolls in themselves, despite the increase in price and late-payment windfall, are lagging.

New 520 Floating Bridge’s Pontoons are “Disaster,” Inspector Tells KOMO

Michael van Baker — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 20:14:33 +0000

WSDOT says, for instance: "WSDOT’s SR 520 construction contracts include multiple requirements for Quality Assurance (QA) managers and other Quality Assurance staff." That sounds reassuring, but when you read their documentation, you discover that construction firm Kiewit, the "Design-Builder," is responsible for all "QA and QC for design."

Judge Calls WSDOT’s 520 Bridge Analysis “Objective,” Dismisses Suit

Michael van Baker — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 18:02:18 +0000

The verdict was not particularly surprising: WSDOT has been aggressive with its timeline for the bridge construction, which has the effect of creating a sunk investment if the project is delayed or halted. Opponents of the bridge's expansion have had difficulty bending any "ears of power." In this economic climate, few are interested in taking the political hit sinking the mega-bridge would require.

Paying to Cross 520: Is It Worth It?

Seth Kolloen — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 17:06:52 +0000

While the Eastside is a lovely place to live and work, there isn’t much over there you’d go out of your way to see. No Eastside location appears on this Top 10 Washington Attractions list, nor on this one or this one or this one. The closest thing the Eastside has to a unique destination is the underrated Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art. I say underrated because I’ve never seen anyone rate it and it does at least seem to exist.