The pedestrian bridge overlooking the Sammamish River at the Park at Bothell Landing is getting a makeover.
At the Oct. 15 Bothell City Council meeting, councilmembers voted unanimously to authorize the city manager to enter a construction project that will result in the bridge’s replacement.
“The existing bridge has reached the end of its design life,” Lauren Freist, a capital projects engineer with the public works department, said.
The contract is with Road Construction Northwest, Inc., for about $1.76 million. In total, the project costs $2.7 million and is being supported by several sources: a $1.2 million grant awarded by the Puget Sound Regional Council’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program; $400,000 in local funds (sourced by the real estate excise tax); and a $1.1 million grant from the Recreation and Conservation Office Trail.
The new non-motorized bridge, which will be slightly east of its predecessor, will result in a 12-foot-wide deck and be Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible. The bridge as it exists is beginning to visibly show signs of wear.
“The wood is starting to split, the deck is decaying, and there are pests invading the wood,” according to the Oct. 15 meeting agenda.
Freist said community members will be made aware of renovations during the construction period.
“During that time, trail users and community members can expect a trail closure as well as a four-week period where the crossing itself is closed,” she said, adding that detour signage will be provided before and during the period.
The council expressed enthusiasm about the project. Deputy Mayor Davina Duerr spoke from personal experience.
“I’m really, really excited to see the plan because the bridge will no longer empty out straight into the Burke-Gilman, which is a huge safety hazard,” she said. “Every time I come off of that bridge, I’m thinking I’m going to get hit by bikes going to and fro. So I think it will really greatly improve the utility of the park.”
Councilmember Jeanne Zornes noted that the project will make for a good point of price and construction comparison for other necessary bridge renovations to be completed down the line, like at the park at the former Wayne Golf Course.
Construction is expected to start between November and December and last about 150 business days. This particular project has been up for discussion since early November 2015, the council first passed a $237,689 professional services agreement with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. to design the bridge.