By Tim Clifford

On the morning of Feb.21 the South Park Bridge, which crosses the Duwamish at 16th Ave. S., became stuck in the “up” or open position after a transmission pump broke. The closure is expected to continue until Tues. Feb. 24 at the earliest.
When dispatchers with Seattle DOT were contacted for comment one referred to the break down as a “mechanical failure” and commented that little information was available at this time. “I really don’t know of any ETA [estimated time of arrival] on that one,” said the dispatcher of when repairs would be finished and the bridge operational again.

Signs for detours have been placed directing motorists to the 1st Ave. South Bridge. This route is the same detour that was used during the four years of construction leading up to the bridge’s reopening last June.

The original bridge, which was constructed in 1931, was slowly demolished in 2010 to create a safer and more earthquake ready structure. After four years of construction the new bridge was opened in June 2014 with historical elements worked into the new design. The South Park Bridge currently sees 20,000 motorists each day.