From Press Release:

Update: King County Executive Dow Constantine and Metropolitan King County Councilmember Jan Drago today thanked the state Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) for its motion at this morning’s board meeting approving a $10 million contribution toward replacement of the South Park Bridge.

“I am delighted with this latest piece of good news,” said Executive Constantine. “This brings us another step closer to replacing the South Park Bridge. This award acknowledges the impressive partnership we have assembled, which includes community leaders, local businesses, King County, the state of Washington, the City of Seattle, the Port of Seattle and the Puget Sound Regional Council.”

“I thank Governor Gregoire, Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond and the TIB for their continued support of this vital transportation lifeline,” added Constantine. “This latest investment gives us an even stronger hand as we make the final push to secure all funding needed to build a new South Park Bridge.”

“This is very exciting,” said Councilmember Drago, who represents the South Park and Georgetown neighborhoods. “Support for the bridge from partners at every level just keeps rolling in!”

Both officials commended the residents of South Park for their tireless work over the past several weeks in support of bridge funding. Earlier this week, King County, the state of Washington, the city of Seattle and community members stood together as the Governor announced a $20 million pledge from the state.

The Transportation Improvement Board plays a key role in providing state grants to support local transportation projects. Today’s contribution now brings the total funding package for the South Park Bridge to $80 million, thanks to a stakeholder partnership led by the County Executive.

As we previously reported:

Speaking near the southwest footings of the South Park bridge on the Duwamish River, Governor Christine Gregoire handed a $20 million check to King County Executive Dow Constantine for additional funding from the State of Washington to build a replacement for the ailing and soon to be closed structure.

The Seattle City Council, speaking through Richard Conlin announced they would provide an additional $15 million. A letter was sent pledging their support.

King County already has $30 million secured and the Port of Seattle has $5 million ready to go.
This brings the total funding available to $70 million or roughly half the total cost of a tear down and replacement.
Constantine announced he would be seeking a Tiger II Grant to complete the funding, since the original Tiger Grant was declined.
Tiger II is a $600 million competitive grant program included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Also speaking at the event were King County Councilmembers Bob Ferguson and Julia Patterson, Port of Seattle Commissioner Gayle Tarleton, and South Park Bridge Coalition Co-Chairs Dagmar Cronn and Larry Brown.

The bridge will close at 7 pm, June 30.

In a related announcement, not everyone is happy with the closure of the bridge and an organization named ECOSS Environmental Coalition of South Seattle said they would be holding a "wake" for the closure. The event is intended to draw attention to the South Park neighborhood, among the most diverse in the City of Seattle.

Their press release states:

The South Park community mourns the closure of the bridge that served as the neighborhood’s lifeline for nearly 80 years.
The South Park community has organized a wake on Wednesday, June 30th from 6-10pm to mark the closing of the South Park Bridge, the main thoroughfare over the Duwamish River into the South Park neighborhood.

Although the principal focus of the wake is to bemoan the loss of the bridge, South Park residents, including business owners, artists and musicians are stepping up to showcase the community’s diversity. The Duwamish Tribal drummers will cross the bridge in the minutes before its closure at 7pm. Muralists from South Park Arts will be painting the bridge, “transforming the structure from defunct infrastructure into artistic force.” (South Park Arts website, www.southparkarts.org) Bagpipers will play during the final raising of the leaves, followed by music from a New Orleans Funeral Band, a Latino Roots/Folk band, and a Blues Band. South Park restaurants, like the popular Muy Macho, will be offering food specials, and local organizations will be tabling to showcase the variety of activities and services in the neighborhood.

The South Park neighborhood is one of the most diverse in Seattle, and has undergone a renaissance in recent years, largely due to the addition of a library, community center, resource center, increased community involvement and a growing business district. Recent announcements from the County and the City indicate that monies ($31 million and $20 million, respectively) are being set aside for a bridge replacement. Total cost estimates for the project are $130 million.

For additional information about the South Park Bridge Wake, please contact Elise Roberts or Bill Pease.

About ECOSS
ECOSS is a non-profit organization working with Puget Sound neighborhoods towards building an environmentally responsible community. We serve as a voice for the community on issues that encourage a clean environment and urban redevelopment. ECOSS has been in the South Park neighborhood since its inception in 1994.