News Flash

Completed

• Additional geotechnical investigations in West Marine View Drive (WMVD) in support of the lifting of the approximately 1,000,000 lb (~500 Ton) steel truss and steel pipelines. Testing results altered the lifting options available and therefore the contractor’s method for putting the bridge truss span in place.
• Meetings with Port stakeholders to understand and appreciate their construction concerns.
• Phase 2 contract to install pipelines in West Marine View Drive between 14^th Street and 16^th Street.
• Delivery of the steel truss bridge members was received over 21 Truck Loads.
• The assembly of the 283 foot span of steel truss bridge in West Marine View Drive.
• The City has approved the contractor’s revised proposal for how they will lift the bridge and set it in place above West Marine View Drive. The revised plan requires a 10 day full closure of  WMVD between 13^th Street and 18^th Street.
• As a result of recent additional geotechnical evaluation, the contractor submitted a proposal requesting a full closure of West Marine View Drive for up to 22 days, beginning mid-July. The City rejected the closure request and directed the contractor to consider all possible means and methods to minimize the closure time. The contractor’s thorough review resulted in a reduction of the road closure duration to 10 days by increasing shift durations, adding manpower, and overlapping construction activities.

 In Process

• Traffic control planning in support of the final stages to put the bridge span in place.
• Continued installation of the elevator.
• Continued shop drawing reviews and approvals associated with the guardrails, lighting, and pedestrian decks.
• Preparation and grading work at Grand Avenue Park in anticipation of setting the bridge on the east abutment.
• On April 15^th, the contractor sent Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) its proposed bridge erection plan for review. BNSF review is ongoing.
• Painting of key members of the steel truss. The exterior weathering steel members will continue to change to a rust-like appearance over time.
• Current traffic revisions involve closing all but one lane of traffic during weekdays and using flaggers to accommodate painting and electrical work on the steel truss. There is also a noise variance to allow construction work to begin at 6 am so crews can open two-way traffic in the afternoon.

 Upcoming

• Erection of the bridge is anticipated in Summer 2019. Timing is completely dependent on approval by the railroad of a track closure window for five railroad tracks. The requested time frame is July; the bridge cannot be erected before this requested time frame. It is not known if BNSF will approve the track closure for the requested time frame.
• When the track closure window is provided from BNSF Railway, there will be additional communication about any road closures to accommodate the erection of the bridge.
• Under the revised plan, the contractor will perform as much of the work as possible prior to the closure, while the roadway remains open to traffic. During the 10-day closure, the contractor will move the bridge to the lifting location in the road, install lifting towers and jacks around the bridge, lift the bridge to the installation elevation, utilize multi-wheel transporters to place the bridge onto the abutments and remove the lifting towers.
• During the lifting and transporting of the million pounds of steel, travel in and around the bridge work zone will require restrictions to protect the public. Public safety needs will drive the City’s review of the bridge erection sequence traffic control, while the City also attempts to mitigate traffic impacts to the maximum extent possible.

Widening of the temporary railroad crossing by BNSF for the setting of the bridge span.

More information about the Grand Avenue Park Bridge project can be found on the project page everettwa.gov/gapb.