Hold onto your Hats! High Winds coming to Seattle and 520 Bridge
January 6, 2009 by Grant
Just received this email from the WSDOT mailing list:
SEATTLE – High winds have forced the cancelation of tonight’s planned closure of the SR 520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge. A large tugboat and barge were scheduled to go through at 9 p.m., but the high winds raise potential safety concerns. The drawspan opening will be rescheduled at a later date.
Crews are closely monitoring winds on the SR 520 bridge. The criteria for closing the bridge to traffic and opening the drawspan is sustained winds of 50 mph for 15 minutes. Bridge engineers also can use their professional judgment to close the bridge to traffic at lesser wind speeds. The latest forecast calls for sustained winds of 25 – 35 mph, with the strongest winds before 6 p.m. today.
Drivers are urged to use extra caution as they cross Lake Washington this afternoon and evening.
To understand why the Department of Transportation closes 520 during high winds, read more on their page: Why We Close 520.
In summary, high winds are forcing 520 to stay open. Bet you don’t hear that everyday!
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