West Seattle Bridge

The West Seattle Bridge is a cantilevered segmental bridge that serves as the primary connection between West Seattle and the rest of the city. It was built between 1981 and 1984 after the previous bascule bridge was deemed inoperable as a result of being struck by the "Chavez" freighter in 1978.

The bridge spans the mouth of the Duwamish River at Elliott Bay, crossing over Harbor Island. Its main approaches are Fauntleroy Way S.W. from the west and the Spokane Street Viaduct from the east. The viaduct continues east to Interstate 5 at Columbian Way (exit 163), forming a three-mile (5 km) freeway between West Seattle and I-5.

The Spokane Street Viaduct section between Interstate 5 and WA 99 is scheduled to be rebuilt and widened beginning in the summer of 2008. The new roadway will have 3 lanes in each direction and shoulders. A new westbound on and off ramp will be built at 1st Ave S to replace the existing dangerous 4th Ave S off ramp. A new 2 lane eastbound off ramp will be built to 4th Ave S. The project is scheduled to be complete by 2011. The new roadway may be considered for an interstate designation after the upgrade as it connects to the Port of Seattle.

Exit list

External links

Crossings navbox
structure = Crossings
place = Duwamish River
bridge = West Seattle Bridge
bridge signs =
upstream = First Avenue South Bridge
upstream signs =
downstream = Spokane Street Bridge
downstream signs =