WASHINGTON — Three people have reported objects falling from the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge in the last month, which gave state inspectors something additional to look for as they began a regularly scheduled check of the bridge on Monday.
The weeklong inspection from specially designed bucket trucks that allow experts to see the bottom of the bridge will be much closer than the look-through binoculars that inspectors were able to take after the recent reports.
WSDOT Bridge Inspector Steve Nilsen said state officials have so far found no evidence the falling objects came from the bridge structure itself.
"I would feel it's more likely that it's debris, that it came off a vehicle," Nilsen said.
Nilsen said one person reported a chunk of concrete landing on his car beneath the bridge.
Another report came from people picnicking beneath the bridge.
A third report came from a rower who said a falling object struck his boat.
After the last inspection two years ago, Nilsen said crews removed some flaky sections of concrete.
The bridge was built in 1961.
On a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 being best, WSDOT said the bridge has a sufficiency rating of 68.
The timing of the regular, every-other-year inspection is coincidental following the reports of falling objects.
The work will lead to lane closures on the bridge.
Below are the details from a WSDOT news release:
- Monday to Thursday: One lane of the I-5 express lanes at the Ship Canal Bridge will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
- Saturday: The right lane of northbound I-5 at the Ship Canal Bridge will be closed from 5:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Sunday: The right lane of southbound I-5 at the Ship Canal Bridge will be closed from 5:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
KIRO
