The Seattle Department of Transportation said recently that the Fauntleroy Expressway (West Seattle Freeway) bearing-pad replacement project began this week.
The department said work on the freeway will be done between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., except on Friday and Saturday nights. During overnight working hours, the bridge will be closed. In addition to this, the contractor may be reducing traffic on Spokane Street, running underneath the bridge, to a single lane of traffic.
A total of 674 bearing pads will be replaced during the project. Work will take place west of the Delridge Way on-ramp until the road is not a bridge. Bearing pads aid in preserving the longevity of a bridge structure.
The work will involve the lifting of each bridge segment so that the old pads can be removed and replaced. Set-ups will take place while the bridge is open, and lifting activities will take place overnight. The project is expected to be completed in 40 to 50 overnight sessions. Considerations have been made in relation to local sporting events. On these nights, closures are set to begin at 11 p.m. to account for sports-related traffic.
