|
Magnolia Bridge Replacement Project
Revised October 17, 2007
Thanks Magnolia Community!
Thanks to everyone who attended the open house on October 16! Your comments and questions will continue to help guide the project as we move forward. You can view the open house materials at the project archive.
|
Magnolia Bridge Project Releases Type, Size & Location Study
SDOT is pleased to announce the publication of the Type, Size & Location (TS&L) study for the Magnolia Bridge Replacement Project. The TS&L study describes the range of route alternatives and bridge designs considered for replacing the Magnolia Bridge. The report explains the process of identifying and narrowing many route alternatives down to the preferred replacement option, Alternative A, and the best bridge structure type. Community input, technical analysis, and environmental review each shaped SDOT’s final bridge route and design recommendations. For more information on the status of the Magnolia Bridge Replacement Project, please contact the project team.
Click here to view the TS&L study
Magnolia Bridge Project Continues to Move Forward
Since 2002, SDOT has been working with the community to identify the best replacement option for the Magnolia Bridge, a crucial, yet seismically vulnerable, facility. As the Magnolia Bridge Replacement Project continues to move forward, the following aspects of the project are currently in progress:
- The Type, Size & Location Study, which describes the many alternative routes and designs considered for replacing the Magnolia Bridge. This report explains the process of identifying and narrowing many alternatives down to the preferred replacement option, Alternative A, and the best bridge structure type by considering technical, environmental, and community factors.
- The Draft Environmental Assessment and supporting documents, including recently updated discipline reports and the biological assessment. The Draft Environmental Assessment will be sent to WSDOT and the Federal Highway Administration for their comments and approval for publication.
- A joint development agreement between SDOT and the Seattle Parks Department. The agencies will work together to develop the best overall combination of park and transportation facilities to serve the public interest.
- Pursuit of funding sources. SDOT is continuing to pursue funding sources for the Magnolia Bridge Replacement Project, including grants, federal funding and other applicable funding opportunities.
Bridge Structure Type Selected in November 2006!
In November of 2006, after a series of public outreach events and consultations with the project Design Advisory Group and Seattle Design Commission, SDOT selected a preferred structure type for the Magnolia Bridge replacement facility. The bridge will be designed using concrete box girders supported by columns that flare out at the top. The photo simulations below show the basic structure shapes for all major segments of the future Magnolia Bridge.
 |
Above: 15th Avenue overcrossing
|
 |
| Above: Magnolia bluff |
 |
| Above: Mainline segment |
 |
| Above: 23rd ramps segment |
Find out what happened at the last Open House!
To learn more about the preferred alternative, click
here.
Why replace the Magnolia Bridge?
The Magnolia Bridge serves as one of three main links between Magnolia, Queen Anne, and the rest of Seattle. The aging bridge was damaged in a 1997 landslide, and again in the 2001 earthquake. While currently safe, engineers have determined that the cost to retrofit and make future repairs on the existing bridge would cost more than replacing the bridge. Shortly after the earthquake, the City of Seattle received a $9 million Federal grant for the preliminary studies and engineering design required for a new bridge.
How did the City select a replacement?
Before selecting a preferred alternative in March 2006, SDOT was evaluating four Magnolia Bridge Project alternatives (A, C, D, and Rehabilitation) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
For a detailed description of the selection process, click
here.
The City documented results of the evaluation in a series of Environmental Discipline Reports that studied project impacts. Based on technical findings, public input, and environmental analysis, the City presented two alternatives (A and D) to the mayor for consideration. Mayor Nickels selected Alternative A as the best option to meet local and regional goals.
Interested in the Environmental Discipline Reports? Click here to get more information.
What are the next steps for this project?
SDOT plans to complete environmental documents by this fall, and select a bridge type (including architecture and physical characteristics) by the end of the year. Once a bridge type is selected, SDOT will complete design work and begin preparing construction documents. The earliest construction could start, assuming funding is identified, is 2009.
SDOT hosted an open house on November 29th to hear public
input on which alternative should be preferred. Click on the links below to
download copies of the meeting materials and the open house summary.
Open
House Summary, November 29, 2005 (pdf)
Open
House Presentation (pdf)
Impacts
Matrix (pdf)
Cost & Expenditures
Fact Sheet (pdf)
Spring
2005 Update
This project website is designed to let you know where we've been, keep you up
to date on SDOT's progress, and let you know how you can get involved in future
project activities. Please contact SDOT staff listed on the site with any questions
or comments regarding the project or website. We want to hear from you!
Mayor Nickels' Goals
The Magnolia Bridge Project is one of many transportation projects being evaluated by Seattle, and meshes well with Mayor Nickels' transportation goals for the city:
- Make it easier to get around - reduce transportation-related frustration and re-institute mobility.
- Shape the future - identify new transportation solutions.
- Get back to basics - maximize the effectiveness of our existing infrastructure.
The existing Magnolia Bridge was built in 1929, replacing an earlier wooden trestle bridge.
Read more about the History of the Magnolia Bridge (download PDF) in this report.
Aerial Photo of Project Area:
|
