The West Seattle Bridge Repair Program will receive $9 million of funding thanks to a recent memorandum of understanding with the City of Seattle and federal and local agencies.
The money will go toward reopening the bridge in mid-2022 and upgrading the Spokane Street Swing Bridge, according to the Port of Seattle, whose commissioners recently gave its blessing to the MOU.
“The West Seattle Bridge is one of the most critical transportation assets in the state of Washington,” port Commissioner Stephanie Bowman said. “The Port of Seattle needs cargo to move through this gateway as efficiently as possible as we experience the highest volume surges in our history and this MOU will move us in the right direction.”
“The port and Northwest Seaport Alliance have been critical partners in coordinating emergency repairs on the West Seattle Bridge over the past year-and-a-half, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan added. “I want to personally thank the Port Commission and agency leadership for joining the funding coalition who recognize that reopening the West Seattle Bridge is this region’s most urgent transportation need.”
Meanwhile, city and port staff are working to improve flow of traffic on South Spokane Street near the Terminal 18 gate, and partnering with motorists and Duwamish Valley communities to curb the impact of drayage trucks, according to the port.
