MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Video reveals flawed anchor cables on 520 bridge

Mar 29, 2017, 9:41 AM | Updated: 9:55 am

520 Bridge anchor cables...

Of the 58 anchor cables under the 520 Bridge, the state asked the contractor to replace 46. (KIRO 7)

(KIRO 7)

Video from beneath Lake Washington shows what inspectors saw as they drove a remote camera over the anchor cables on the new State Route 520 bridge.

Report: 520 Bridge categorized as ‘structurally deficient’

In some spots, strands of steel cables have popped out.

In others, cables are twisted or bent.

Of 58 anchor cables, the state asked the contractor to replace 46.

“We wanted to make sure we had the longevity for the bridge so we wanted them replaced,” Steve Peer, of the Washington State Department of Transportation, told KIRO 7.

Underwater inspections in early 2016, before the bridge opened to traffic, revealed what WSDOT calls “anomalies” in the cables.

Despite the flaws, Peer said the cables were plenty strong to safely keep the bridge anchored in place, but the state wanted to make sure they lasted as long as possible.

The contractor covered most of replacement cost, with the state spending about a million dollars on the fix.

That cost was covered by contingencies in the project budget.

“This is a $1.5 billion bridge, and $1 million, while it’s a lot, is not as much in comparison, especially when we want to deliver a bridge we want to last 75 years,” Peer said.

Cracked pontoons early in the project added about $200 million to the cost of the bridge.

Peer said it’s not entirely clear how the anchor cables were damaged, but it might have happened during installation.

The problem landed the new bridge on a national list of structurally deficient bridges, although when the list was published in December, most of the cables had already been replaced.

WSDOT did not notify the media about the cable problems, but did mention them in monthly construction reports found deep on the project website.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

4 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

8 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

10 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

11 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

11 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

14 hours ago

Video reveals flawed anchor cables on 520 bridge