Schedule / Contacts
Map of Area
Join the City of Tacoma to celebrate the opening of the Hylebos Bridge on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, from 9 to 9:30 a.m. at the Hylebos Bridge, which spans the Hylebos Waterway on the east side of the Tacoma Tideflats located at 3590 E. 11th St.
At the celebration, there will be speakers and a ribbon cutting. Speakers scheduled for the event include City of Tacoma Council Member Jake Fey and Port of Tacoma Commissioner Dick Marzano.
The rehabilitation, which included structural and mechanical replacements and repairs, electrical system replacements and repairs, and improvements to the existing stormwater system, is complete.
This is an outdoor event located on the east side of the bridge. Attendees are encouraged to wear appropriate footwear and to dress for the weather.
PROJECT INFORMATION
The Hylebos Bridge was damaged in 2001 during an emergency stop that broke the drive shaft. Since then, it has been locked in the upright position to allow for ship traffic. The project has had many challenges including permitting, funding and vandalism. The construction contract will be complete and the bridge will be fully operational and open to both vehicular and shipping traffic this fall/winter. More...
The estimated cost: $25,720,000.00
Project Update for fall 2011
• The polyester concrete overlay has been poured and cured.
• The shear locks that hold the two sides of the bridge together when the spans are lowered, are close to being finished.
• The bridge controls in the control tower are close to being finalized.
• Currently, the bridge is being controlled through a bypass in the electrical rooms.
• A new hotline for marine traffic was established (253) 573-2510. The purpose of this number is to enhance the communication between the City, USCG, Businesses, Mariners and any Hylebos waterway users. The hotline will inform the caller about any scheduled repair closure, clearance, weight limitation, speed on the bridge and a phone number to call for any further questions during business hours.
Project Update for summer 2011
The following items are installed / constructed:
• The two moveable spans have been painted.
• Both bridge approaches have been replaced
• The electrical and mechanical rooms have been constructed.
• The street light poles are installed.
• The shop testing of the equipments is conducted.
• The new control house is constructed
• The replacement and installation of the new electrical and mechanical equipment are in the process.
• The bridge will be closed on Aug. 20, 2011 to Aug. 29, 2011 for repair with a safety zone. The safety zone was established by the U.S. Coast Guard extending 50 yards to the north and south of the Hylebos Bridge. The rule is effective from 6 a.m. on Aug. 20, 2011 through 6 p.m. on Aug. 22, 2011.
Project Update for fall/ winter 2010
The east and west span of the bridge have been painted and the temporary work trestle on the east and west side have also been constructed. Pier 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 are constructed. All girders are delivered and set in place. Stops and diaphragms are poured. Bridge finger piles are pulled. Concrete is poured in the reducer column at Pier 4 and 5. Permits (HPA, NEPA and USCG) are updated. All man-made debris on the waterway within the right of way is removed. The project is currently on budget and scheduled for completion in October 2011.
The project is currently on budget and scheduled for completion in October 2011.
Project Update (July 2010)
The following existing elements have been removed:
• Approach and walks
• Catch basins and culvert
• Concrete decks for the movable span
• Slabs, girders and mechanical equipments at Pier 4 & 5
The following items are installed / constructed:
• Girders at span 3, 4 & 5 (concrete poured and cured)
• Deck Rebar and embeds and conduits at the barriers approach
• Barrier at span 3 & 5
• Sidewalk at the east approach poured and cured
• East approach asphalt road grinded
• Ecological embankment and the reinforcing steel
• The electrical rooms (slab is poured and cured)
Awarding contracts to:
Quigg Bros, Inc. , on its bid of $15,292,037.00, excluding sales tax, budgeted from various funds, for the Rehabilitation of the Hylebos Bridge East 11th Street, Across Hylebos Creek Waterway. – Specification No. PW08-0710F.
You can view a video stream of the Council meeting at http://www.ci.tacoma.wa.us/tvtacoma/tacoma/wvalue.htm?vidID=ccm042109.
Background
The East Blair Peninsula is an area of intense industrial activity and facilities. Chemical plants, warehouses, ocean container terminals and other manufacturing facilities are located across its 918-acre area. A chemical release or large fire at any of these facilities could require immediate evacuation of the area.
Prior to 2001, the Peninsula was served by three separate routes: Taylor Way, Alexander Avenue and East 11th Street (over the Hylebos Bridge). Since that time, Alexander Avenue has been vacated to the Port of Tacoma to allow development of the new Pierce County Terminal. East 11th Street has been blocked by the non-functioning Hylebos Bridge. Taylor Way is currently the only arterial providing unhindered access to and from the Penin
sula.
The potential hazards located on the East Blair Peninsula warrant two separate and permanent evacuation routes in case of emergency. If an emergency were to occur on the Peninsula today, the vacated portion of Alexander Avenue would be reopened as an additional evacuation route. Once the Hylebos Bridge is repaired and reopened to traffic, Alexander Avenue will be permanently vacated to the Port of Tacoma for their port expansion projects and the Hylebos Bridge would become that second permanent arterial route to and from the Peninsula.
In early 2001, a drive shaft on the northeast bascule leaf failed, causing the Bridge to become inoperable. In order to allow ship navigation to continue on the Hylebos Waterway, cables were used to hold the two bascule leaves in the open position. The leaves have remained in the open position since then. A subsequent fire in 2004 inside the northeast bascule pier caused additional damage to the Bridge, including its mechanical and electrical control systems.
A bridge inspection conducted in August 2005 noted that the existing bridge approaches, support structure, fender system and electrical system are in poor condition and need to be replaced in addition to the repairs required for the bascule span and drive system.
The City of Tacoma, with funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Port of Tacoma, proposes to rehabilitate the Hylebos Bridge located on the Hylebos Waterway (the Waterway) in Commencement Bay. The purpose of the Project is to rehabilitate the Hylebos Bridge to restore an evacuation route off of the East Blair Peninsula. The project construction is expected to begin in Aug-2009 and be completed in late 2011.
E-mail contact for this Web site: karrie.spitzer@cityoftacoma.org 