Fairview Ave N Bridge Replacement

Updated: July 9, 2019

What's happening now?

The Fairview project team is preparing for detour preparation work along Aloha St, scheduled to begin as early as July 22, 2019.

This preparation work is expected to last approximately 2 months and will be completed before the Fairview Ave N Bridge is closed for construction this fall. The work along Aloha St will include temporary and permanent changes to support safety and the flow of traffic during bridge closure. The changes focus on the three-way intersection at Aloha St and Yale Ave, and traffic movements at Fairview Ave N and Eastlake Ave E. During the detour prep work, portions of Aloha St will be closed. Learn more about the Aloha St detour work. 

The Fairview project awarded the construction contract to Orion Marine Contractors Inc. Learn more about the advertisement. The project team continues to work with the contractor to outline the project schedule for full bridge closure this fall. The full length of construction, including detour prep and bridge replacement, is expected to be about 19 months.

The project team will keep community members informed in advance of construction through email notifications and website updates. Project team members will also be available for briefings with businesses, residents and other stakeholders throughout this pre-construction period.

Schedule and construction

Construction schedule for Fairview Ave N Bridge Replacement project.

Early 2019

Advertisement for construction contractor
Ongoing public and stakeholder outreach

Summer 2019

Confirm construction contractor
Preparation work begins for Aloha St intersection detour*
Ongoing public and stakeholder outreach

Fall 2019

Full bridge closure and construction begins
Ongoing public and stakeholder outreach

2021

Bridge reopens to traffic

*The project will comply with all necessary environmental permitting and associated schedule. Construction, including work on Aloha St, to last approximately 19 months. 

Project overview

We are replacing the bridge at Fairview Ave N. The oldest portion of the current bridge was built more than 65 years ago and is the last timber-supported bridge on a major road in Seattle. While safe for travel today, the bridge is structurally unstable and vulnerable to earthquakes, including the newer portion made of steel and concrete, and needs to be replaced. Located on the southeast shore of Lake Union near the 1200 block of Fairview Ave N in Seattle, the bridge is next to the historic Lake Union Steam Plant building.

Existing conditions

The timber piles on the western half of the bridge, which hold up the roadway are decaying and the concrete girders on the eastern half of the bridge, which stabilize the street, are cracked.

The bridge wasn't built to current seismic standards and has a limited load capacity for oversized vehicles.

Future bridge design

The new, wider street will help everyone travel more safely along Fairview Ave N. The bridge will feature sidewalks on both sides of the street, a separated 12-foot, two-way bike lane on the west side of the bridge, and slightly wider northbound vehicle lanes for people driving cars and trucks.

Existing Crossection
New Crosssection

Along with seismic improvements, we're building 3 new lookout points along the west side of the bridge to provide viewing platforms looking out to Lake Union. They will replace the current lookout area located on the northern end of the bridge.

Rendering of bridge users
Rendering of bridge users at a belvedere

Other area improvements

The project will make improvements to the area before construction begins, including:

  • Installing a new traffic signal at Aloha St and Eastlake Ave E, which will allow left turns onto Eastlake Ave E
  • Improving signal timing at Aloha St and Fairview Ave N
  • Removing the traffic circle at Yale Ave N and Aloha St and building a permanently raised intersection

Driving, biking, and walking during construction

We understand that traffic must keep moving in the area during construction. The transit, biking, and walking detour routes shown below are the result of working with communities near the bridge. Freight and general traffic will be encouraged to use alternate routes. Detour and "businesses are open" signage will be placed at key locations during the full closure. We will continue to work with King County Metro, other nearby construction projects, the community, and those who travel through the area before and during construction.

2018_2019 Fairview Detour Map

Funding

The total project estimate is $42 million and the project is fully funded in 3 ways: Bridging the Gap, the federal Bridge Replacement Advisory Committee (BRAC), and the Move Seattle levy.

Get involved

We want to keep you up to date!
Our outreach team is committed to keeping you informed in a variety of ways, including:

  • Email updates (sign up here)
  • Project mailings
  • Updating this webpage
  • Dropping off flyers at businesses and residential buildings
  • Presenting at community group meetings
  • Responding to emails from area neighbors

Contact information

MariLyn Yim, Project Manager
206-684-3190
FairviewBridge@seattle.gov

Materials