Category: Bridge
South Park Bridge
The two crews rowing were the first ones to pass under the new South Park Bridge. The last photo is looking south where the old Sheet Metal Shop of Plant II, Boeing, was located. During the bridge construction Boeing demolished the long vacated building (whose footprint ran right up the the waters edge, with no set back or buffer zone) and is now cleaning and refurbishing this section of shoreline of the Duwamish River. Pretty amazing transition. The Sheet Metal Shop moved to the city of Auburn, WA. in the mid-80’s-known as the 17-45 building. I actually worked in the 17-45 building for a year, 1999, before being moved to the Everett Plant 67 miles north, where I spent the last two years of my working career with the company. Seems like a lifetime ago.
South Park Bridge Opening
As you can see below, the bridge guard rail still had the shrink-wrap attached. I guess that is proof the bridge is new :-). I’m not sure how the spaceman in the car fits into the scheme of things, but that is part of the charm of South Park.
South Park Bridge Opening
A couple of Sundays ago the new South Park Bridge celebrated its opening. Ceremonies included fire works, parade (photos to follow) and the usual dignitaries. I had been following the project since it started in 2011 and even before. Some of my ‘before’ photos can be seen here, on the King County website. John Stamets, the official photographer for the bridge project, passed away suddenly two weeks before the opening ceremony. Follow his chronicle of the bridge project here. I was fortunate to attend some of the community meetings where John’s Powerpoints were presented. He was great fun to listen to and learn from. He led a rather extraordinary life and I think there is a link to his bio on the page I just linked to. Although the bridge closure and replacement was difficult on the residents and businesses of South Park, I think the people in charge of making it happen and working with the community did an outstanding job. Tim, the chief engineer on site every day, kept his cool and sense of humor throughout all of the setbacks and community frustrations. Ashley DeForest and DeAnna Martin, as Community Relations Managers, were great in dealing with the community and keeping everyone informed. I think the project was lucky to have these individuals working together, along with John Stamets. Tim, the chief engineer, decided to make this his last project and he has or is in the process of retiring. Not many new bridges get built, so I think he felt this was a great way to go out. 
Look Back Thursday:
Bay Bridge at sunrise. July, 1970, San Francisco. Original image, film, shot using 35mm Agfa camera.
Flag
The flag atop the Brooklyn Bridge. If you look closely you can see the year, 1875, between the cables on the stone column. The vanishing point is a little left of center but, what the heck, so am I.
Crossings
First two bridges span the Cedar River ( Renton) and the third is over the Green River (Kent). Bridges and train trestles seem to fascinate me. I should dig through my archives and do a monster bridge posting! :-). Lots of rust and creosote!
Along the Duwamish River
The new North Span of the 14th St. Bridge (South Park) is in place, vertically. The new bridge is coming along. Other images of working vessels of one type or another. Barges are loaded with just about anything you can imagine, trucks, cars, boats containers, etc and take the cargo north to Juneau, AK.
Rusty Structure
Sections of an old train trestle along the Cedar River that is now used as a footpath.
Views from the Promenade
Views from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.
Brooklyn Bridge
View of Brooklyn Bridge from the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. I think there was some maintenance going on last Fall when this photo was taken.
Control Tower:West Seattle High Rise
The lower span ( not in photo) does open up for marine traffic.
Perhaps.
Spotted on a bridge support in West Seattle.
Old Glory
Brooklyn Bridge with carousel in the foreground.
West Side of Roosevelt Island
A seagull was one of the few signs of life I encountered along the promenade this particular morning. A view of the underside of the Ed Koch Bridge, looking west towards Manhattan.
Roosevelt Island Tram
Roosevelt Island Tram traveling over the East River. Looking west towards Manhattan and the Ed Koch Queensborough Bridge. In the top photo you can barely see the red tram station at 59th st. Station. Bottom: tram pulling into the station on Roosevelt Island. Normally I am phobic regarding heights, but I rode the tram from Roosevelt Island back to Manhattan and had not issues. Will be posting some of the fun tram photos in the near future.
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