Hydraulic problem led to long closure of Spokane Street Bridge

SEATTLE — A pump in the hydraulic system of the Spokane Street Bridge lost pressure and led to a major traffic closure Wednesday morning on West Seattle’s most direct route.

City transportation officials say they first learned of trouble with the system around 7 a.m. and got the bridge operational again around 11:30 a.m.

With the West Seattle Bridge closed for repairs until the middle of 2022, there’s a lot of pressure on the lower swing bridge, the primary route for buses, trucks, and vehicles with special permits.

Matt Donahue, who oversees bridges for the Seattle Department of Transportation, said alarms warned of the pressure loss in one of three pumps on the west side of the bridge, which is part of the system that opens and closes the bridge.

“Similar to what happens with your car, when you start hearing that clunk in the motor, then there’s something wrong,” Donahue said.

Donahue said the bridge can open and close, albeit slowly, on a single pump.

Wednesday’s incident comes after the loss of one of the other pumps on the west side of the bridge in May.

Now, with pump capacity diminished, SDOT is staging two mechanics and an electrician at the bridge during commute times for the next few days in case of more trouble.

“I apologize for any of the impact this had on people’s commute this morning. We’re doing our best to maintain this bridge and other bridges and minimize those impacts,” Donahue said.

Donahue said the pump that broke last May will be replaced next Tuesday.

If needed, the one that just failed will also be swapped out.

Donahue said during that work, the bridge will only be able to open halfway, which will affect marine traffic but not cars, trucks, and buses.

An official with King County Metro said Wednesday’s bus rerouting around the closure affected eight routes and that some trips were 30-40 minutes late.

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