News Release

Release date: March 22, 2001

South Park Bridge to close for earthquake repairs

The King County Road Services Division is advising motorists that the South Park Bridge on 14th/16th Avenue South will be closed to both vehicles and marine traffic from 6 p.m. tomorrow (Friday, March 23) through 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 27, for earthquake repairs.

During the closure, crews will perform a number of repairs, including remilling steel components to realign the bridge span, repaving the south approach, fixing cracks within the internal bridge structure, restoring concrete rails and adding additional timber piles to shore up the bridge span. Private engineering specialists have been brought in to assist county crews in making the necessary earthquake repairs. The work is expected to cost an estimated $790,000. While repairs are under way, motorists should use First Avenue South as a detour route.

The earthquake damage is the latest in a series of structural problems to plague the aging South Park Bridge. Built in 1930, the bridge is reaching the end of its functional life and needs extensive rehabilitation or replacement. The structure is also vulnerable to further damage in another earthquake. King County will be working with the cities of Seattle and Tukwila along with the South Park community in the coming months to discuss longer term bridge improvements that will be required.

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