Old 520 Bridge closed this weekend during new bridge celebration
Apr 2, 2016, 10:09 AM | Updated: May 4, 2016, 2:22 pm
More than a decade of planning and five years of construction went into the completion of the new 520 bridge. (KIRO 7)
(KIRO 7)
A celebration for the completion of the new SR 520 Bridge, the world’s longest floating bridge, is happening this weekend in Seattle, though it won’t be open to traffic for a few weeks.
The existing SR 520 Bridge is closed to traffic from through April 3, at 4 p.m. The usual detour routes will be available during the closure, including the I-90 floating bridge, SR 522, and I-405.
More than a decade of planning and five years of construction went into the completion of the bridge.
A 10k run was held in celebration of the opening Saturday morning.
Gov. Jay Inslee was present to give remarks. And a presentation from Guinness World Records will certify the bridge as the world’s longest floating highway.
The new 520 bridge is nearly twice as wide as the old one. It will have a shoulder for drivers and will better withstand high wind events.
The new westbound lanes of the 520 bridge won’t open to traffic until April 11. April 25 is when eastbound lanes will open.
