SW Andover St Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge

Updated April 1, 2022

Construction is complete on the Andover Bridge retrofit!

We’ve opened the SW Andover St Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge (Andover Bridge) to the public again after completing a seismic retrofit to make the bridge safer and stronger in the event of an earthquake.

Thank you, West Seattle, for your patience as we completed this work. 

Project overview

We completed a seismic retrofit of the SW Andover St Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge (Andover Bridge), which is funded by the Levy to Move Seattle. The bridge was built in 1961, and our work will make it stronger and safer in the event of an earthquake. 

The project work included installing new bridge expansion joints, which allow the concrete to naturally expand and contract without cracking. The bridge deck was originally supported by three joints that were not adequately connected to each other to withstand an earthquake. To make the bridge safer and stronger, we fused part of the bridge together with steel plates, additional rebar, and concrete.

We also strengthened the east side of the bridge where it is secured to the ground. Four long steel rods, called ground anchors, were installed 40 feet deep into the ground to support this side of the bridge. See photos of this work below.

Project Schedule

Funding

This project is an example of SDOT delivering on its commitments to voters and putting Levy to Move Seattle tax dollars to work. The total project cost of the Andover Bridge seismic retrofit is $1.9 million. Upgrading this aging bridge to current earthquake safety standards was included as part of the Levy to Move Seattle package passed by voters in 2015. Approved by voters in 2015, the 9-year, $930 million Levy to Move Seattle provides funding to improve safety for all travelers, maintain our streets and bridges, and invest in reliable, affordable travel options for a growing city.

The Bridge Seismic Retrofit Program brings older bridges in Seattle up to modern earthquake safety standards. This goes above and beyond the ongoing maintenance, inspections, preservation, and repairs that we perform continually to keep Seattle bridges safe and stable. We've completed 32 bridge seismic retrofit projects over the past 30 years and have plans to complete 9 more projects by 2025. To learn more about the Bridge Seismic Retrofit Program, visit our Bridges webpage.

Get involved

With construction complete, we have closed the project email inbox and phone line. For any future questions, please call 684-ROAD or email 684-ROAD@seattle.gov.

Project Materials

Construction starts postcard (October 2021)

Construction factsheet (October 2020)

Factsheet (June 2020)