pontoon.jpg
More leaks have been discovered in the new pontoons for the 520 bridge being built in Aberdeen. (WSDOT Flickr file photo)

Widespread cracks and leaks found in new 520 pontoons

BY Josh Kerns  on October 26, 2012 @ 7:13 am (Updated: 12:55 pm - 10/26/12 )

A new investigation has uncovered widespread cracks and leaking in the pontoons for the new $4.6 billion 520 Bridge are far greater than previously reported.

Last month, the Washington State Department of Transportation acknowledged two leaks inside the first six pontoons built for the new bridge. But KOMO TV reports it has discovered leaks in dozens of the interior compartments of the floating platforms after reviewing thousands of pages of public records and hours of video inspections.

The report says unnamed WSDOT insiders say "they've never seen this many leaks and what they called "extensive cracking" in brand new pontoons.

WSDOT Secretary Paula Hammond acknowledges there have been cracking and leaking problems with several pontoons, but disputes the allegations in the report.

"I've not heard from any of our employees or any of the contractor's employees the assertions that the reporter says she heard," Hammond said in an interview with Ross and Burbank.

"What we all know is every floating bridge that we've ever built, the concrete has cracks in it. And what is now being reported is I think a little bit of a stretch," Hammond said

KOMO reports insiders worry the widespread leaking already undermines the structural integrity of the new bridge. The report says delays and repairs by the contractor Kiewit Construction have already cost taxpayers an additional $9 million

The report raises questions about the state's deal with Kiewit, which is building the pontoons in Aberdeen under one contract while a second contract governs the construction of the bridge on Lake Washington.

While Kiewit in Aberdeen owes $10,000 for every day the pontoons are delayed, at the same time the contract requires the state to pay Kiewit $100,000 a day for delays. That means every late day, Kiewit nets an extra $90,000 even though the problems started with Kiewit's other contract in Aberdeen.

But Hammond defends Kiewit, insisting many of the early problems were a result of changes ordered by the state, not incompetence by the company. And she's adamant the state won't pay for or accept the pontoons until they pass rigorous inspection.

"By and large Kiewit's a great pontoon building company they know what they're doing and I've encouraged all of our team to make sure they are monitoring every step of the way to make sure the quality of the product we get continues to be good," Hammond said.

Hammond said she's made a number of personnel and organization changes for the project in Aberdeen where the pontoons are being built, as well as moving engineering staff to Olympia to strengthen the project team. And she said she's also reconvened an expert review panel to conduct additional analysis of pontoon design, repairs and construction management processes.

In the meantime, WSDOT officials also announced Thursday estimated costs to complete the project have lowered by $522 million because projected bids have come in below their original estimates. And WSDOT says it has finalized a $300 million federal loan for the next phase of construction, leaving the unfunded portion of the program at $1.4 billion, down from an estimated $2 billion in 2010.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (24)


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  • Zoeller wrote...
    What a load of crap!
    October 26, 2012 8:00 am
    "The report says delays and repairs by the contractor Kiewit Construction has already cost taxpayers an additional $9 million." Why is this costing the taxpayers more money when the WSDOT contractor fails to conform to their own contract. Take it out of the Contractors bid just like any other non-government legitimate business would do.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Nickatnyt wrote...
    DOH!
    October 26, 2012 8:48 am
    Shouldn't have taken the lowest bid.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • adiru wrote...
    Should have hired
    October 26, 2012 9:49 am
    sober people to do the job.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • justanotheridiot wrote...
    If you use this bridge...
    October 26, 2012 10:23 am
    I suggest you get one of those Ride The Duck things because your car wont float very long when the bridge falls. Surly a Union job?!??!!?!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • bafrayd wrote...
    This is what we get...
    October 26, 2012 11:31 am
    for staffing our state government with incompetent politicians. How many times must we get hit over the head by our incompetent politicians, before we understand we are electing the wrong people? Save yourself some money, and vote for someone else, please.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • JMGilday wrote...
    Where do I sign up to become a supplier AND Construction contractor?
    October 26, 2012 12:14 pm
    Kiewit (the pontoon supplier) has to pay $10,000 for every day the pontoons are delayed, BUT Kiewit (The Construction Contractor) GETS $100,000 a day for each day the pontoons are delayed - even if their own company is responsible for the delay. WHO was the dimwit that oversaw the contract on behalf of the state? FIRE them.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Realitycheck wrote...
    Only fire them?
    October 26, 2012 7:45 pm
    Take them to court and get every cent they own for signing a contract like that. That company hit the jackpot on our dime.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Just a dumb thought -
    October 26, 2012 2:26 pm
    If the contractor produces a faulty product, shouldn't that product be REPLACED rather than just band-aid fixed ? ... And at the expense of the CONTRACTOR ?

    So, what's the deal here? Is this Kiewit another Solyndra, or what ?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • adiru wrote...
    Wanna bet
    October 26, 2012 2:33 pm
    that there is no warranty work and us taxpayers will be required to pay for it?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • murr wrote...
    Well one good thing ?
    October 26, 2012 2:52 pm
    The pontoons match up with the current admin. running olympia. Their job is spend as much as they can, and beg for more later. The only problem is we cant send them out and put the on and anchor.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • adiru wrote...
    Maybe we're all over reacting!
    October 26, 2012 3:53 pm
    The leaks could have been built in to the design. If so, they were approved by the DOT and therefore subject to change fees to remove the leaks... and we'll have to pay for it.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Uh ????????????????????
    October 26, 2012 5:37 pm
    Adiru, do you work in the State Budget Office, or what ???????
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }