March 8, 2023

Crews take the wraps off new Marion Street pedestrian span

Photo by Benjamin Minnick [enlarge]

The bridge arches 110 feet over Alaskan Way to the under-construction Colman Dock Entry Building.

Crews have pulled off the falsework from the new Marion Street pedestrian bridge, revealing a graceful 110-foot arched span over Alaskan Way. They started the task late last month and wrapped up that operation on Friday, according to the Seattle Department of Transportation.

General contractor Flatiron installed the temporary falsework over Alaskan Way in fall 2022. The concrete deck for that part of the new bridge was poured last month.

When finished later this year, the cast-in-place concrete bridge will connect to the new Colman Dock Entry Building at the ferry terminal to the west, and to the remnants of the old Marion pedestrian bridge at Western Avenue to the east. It is supported by Y-shaped columns.

Crews are now shifting to construction of the remaining segment between Alaskan and Western. Eventually, the old section between Western and First Avenue will be replaced and become part of the new bridge.

The new bridge will have a wider path — 16 feet instead of 13 feet — and better lighting above and below the span. The city of Seattle says the new lighting will improve safety and nighttime travel along the waterfront.

Flatiron's contract to build the new bridge is $6.3 million, jointly funded by the city and the Washington State Department of Transportation.

The design team for the new bridge is led by HDR and Rosales + Partners.

When the new bridge is finished, crews will remove a temporary elevated walkway that connects to the terminus of the existing section of the old Marion pedestrian bridge and spans Western before turning on Columbia Street to connect into the ferry terminal.