Fairview Ave N Bridge Replacement
Updated: January 14, 2021
What's happening now?
Fairview Ave N bridge will remain closed until project completion
Upcoming work
January - February 2021
Milestones reached:
- Crews completed removal of the temporary work trestle
- Crews installed bridge support structures and formed the north section of the bridge deck
- Crews built forms, installed reinforcing steel, and poured concrete for bridge columns
In January and February, crews will:
- Install anchor bolts for utility poles and the bridge railing
- Continue installing reinforcing steel, and forming and pouring bridge shafts and columns
- Begin pouring the bridge deck (surface) and installing conduits to connect lighting, working from north to south
- Begin installing storm drainage improvements on the south end of the bridge
To receive our biweekly email updates that include construction information, please click here. For the latest project updates, including construction photos, see our email update archive.
Typical work hours are Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 6 PM. Crews can continue work activity until 10 PM. Crews may also be working Saturdays 8 AM to 5 PM. Expect noise and vibration from heavy machinery and trucks in the area.
What we've heard
We've noticed more people walking and biking near the project area and closure. We want to be good neighbors during construction. If you have questions or concerns about construction or construction staging in the area, please contact us at FairviewBridge@seattle.gov or at (206) 775-8715.
Getting around during construction
We understand the importance of keeping people moving during construction. This 18-month closure is significantly affecting how people get around Seattle. During construction, the bridge and Fairview Ave N from Eastlake Ave E to Aloha St is closed to through traffic, including people walking and biking. To accommodate the work on the bridge, we've temporarily removed the floating walkway and will reinstall it when the new bridge is complete. The transit, biking, and walking detour routes shown below are the result of working with communities in the area. Freight and general traffic are encouraged to use alternate routes. We will continue to work with King County Metro, other nearby construction projects, the community, and those who travel through the area. Businesses and restaurants remain open and accessible during the bridge closure. For more information on suggested detour routes, check out the map below our blog post. Temporary street parking is provided on the east and west sides of Fairview Ave N between Yale Ave N and Aloha St.
King County Metro Route 70 detour
Metro Route 70, which typically runs along Fairview Ave N, has been detoured around the bridge closure via Eastlake Ave E and Aloha St (see map below). Temporary bus stops are located on Eastlake Ave E:
- The northbound bus stop is located on Eastlake Ave E near the signalized crosswalk and overhead walkway between Ward St and E Nelson Place
- The southbound stop is located at the existing bus shelter on Eastlake Ave E near the staircase that connects to Ward St
The best way to stay informed about Metro rerouting is to check the King County Metro Rider Alerts.
Schedule and construction
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.
Why are we replacing the bridge?
The Fairview Ave N bridge is the last wooden bridge on a major road in Seattle. While safe for travel today, the bridge doesn't meet current seismic standards. The timber piles on the western half of the bridge, which hold up the roadway, are decaying. The concrete girders on the eastern half of the bridge, which stabilize the street, are cracked.
Future bridge design
The new, wider street will help all users, making it safer for people to drive, walk, bike, and access transit along Fairview Ave N. The bridge will feature sidewalks on both sides of the street, a separated 12-foot, 2-way bike lane on the west side of the bridge, and slightly wider northbound vehicle lanes for people driving cars and trucks.
Along with seismic improvements, we're building 3 lookout points along the west side of the bridge to provide viewing platforms looking out to Lake Union. They will replace the lookout area at the northern end of the bridge.
Rendering of bridge users at a belvedere (viewpoint)
Other area improvements
The project made improvements to the area before construction began, including:
- Installing a new traffic signal at Aloha St and Eastlake Ave E, to 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
Funding
MOVE SEATTLE LEVY: Your tax dollars at work
With the Levy to Move Seattle, passed by voters in November 2015, SDOT committed to replacing Seattle's aging and seismically vulnerable Fairview Ave N bridge, improving corridor safety and updating the street design to accommodate all people. The Levy to Move Seattle invests $27 million toward the total estimated project cost of $52 million. We're proud to begin construction on this cornerstone project and deliver on our commitment to voters.
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:
- Sharing regular email updates (sign up here)
- Sending 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
Project Hotline
(206) 775-8715
FairviewBridge@seattle.gov
Materials
- Construction Notice (September 2019)
- Mailer (September 2019)
- Factsheet
- Aloha St Factsheet
- Value Engineering (VE) study factsheet
- Open House displays (11/10/2015)
- Determination of Non-Significance
- State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Checklist
- SEPA Appendix A : Biological Assessment; Geology and Soils technical memo (31 MB)
- SEPA Appendix B : Cultural Resources (redacted); Noise and Vibration; Type, Size and Location (32 MB)
- SEPA Appendix C : Hazardous Materials discipline report (28 MB)
- Appendix D : Alternative Analysis discipline report; Construction Methods technical memo; Environmental Justice & Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 discipline report; Navigation evaluation; Parking Availability study; Traffic Analysis report; Traffic Analysis report supplement: bus detour analysis; Vegetation, Fish and Wildlife technical memo; Vessel Allision Loads analysis; Water Resources technical memo; Wave Loads analysis (24 MB)