McGraw St Bridge Seismic Project

Updated: April 18, 2024

What's happening now?

Our crews have finished setting up scaffolding and installing temporary erosion and sediment control measures underneath the McGraw St Bridge. Now that crews can use the scaffolding to access the area under the bridge, they have begun the process of retrofitting the bridge’s deck and floor beams with carbon fiber wrapping.  

To prepare for this wrapping, crews have removed concrete from the bridge’s pier columns and injected cracks that had formed in the bridge’s deck. This week, they are beginning to wrap the bridge’s deck with carbon fiber. Additionally, crews have prepared for retrofits to the bridge’s floor beams which are occurring at the same time as retrofits to the bridge’s deck.

As a reminder, we anticipate that construction will last through Fall 2024. Construction schedules are subject to change and depend on factors such as weather and availability of crews and materials. The McGraw St Bridge will be closed to all people walking, biking, rolling, and driving for the duration of construction to ensure their safety and allow our crews to work as efficiently as possible.   

The map below shows the detour route:

We’ve installed a fence and signage around the construction site to alert community members about the bridge closure and to direct them along our detour route, as well as installed temporary ADA ramps to ensure the detour route is accessible.

To stay up to date with the latest project information and receive regular construction updates, sign up to join the project listserv.

Project Overview

Earthquakes could have a major impact on Seattle's bridges. To address this risk, the City of Seattle established a bridge seismic program to assess how vulnerable the City's bridges were to earthquakes, and reinforce bridges to better withstand the potential impacts of an earthquake.  

As part of the Levy to Move Seattle, 16 bridges were selected for seismic reinforcement, including the McGraw St Bridge. The McGraw St Bridge is located in the Queen Anne neighborhood, between 2nd Ave N and Nob Hill Ave N. It is an older bridge constructed in 1936 and does not meet current seismic design standards for bridges. The bridge spans the Wolf Creek Ravine Natural Area, and it is used by people driving, biking, walking, and rolling.  

We won’t change the current use and operation of the bridge. The seismic retrofits will include several modifications to the existing bridge components and make the bridge less vulnerable in the event of an earthquake. Modifications include: 

• Installing carbon fiber wrapping to strengthen the bridge's crossbeams, columns, and arches
• Strengthening the existing arch with a concrete infill wall
• Installing concrete blocks and supportive shells for the bridge's columns and crossbeams
• Repairing cracks and damaged concrete
• Replacing the expansion joints at both ends of the bridge 

Project Map

Photo of the existing McGraw St Bridge. 

What to expect during construction 

To complete the work as safely and efficiently as possible, the bridge will be closed to people walking, biking, rolling, and driving for the duration of construction. We understand this closure will impact everyone who uses the bridge regularly and will do what we can to minimize impacts. We will continue to share information on our webpage and through regular email updates throughout construction. You can sign up online to receive email updates. 

The map below shows our detour route:

We currently anticipate the following construction impacts:

• A full closure of the bridge during construction, with detours for people walking, biking, rolling, and driving
• Noise, dust, vibrations, and construction equipment staged on the bridge and within the work area
• Temporary on-street parking restrictions, with "no park" signs placed 72 hours in advance
• Typical weekday work hours of 7 AM - 5 PM, Monday through Friday 

Schedule

Construction is scheduled to last approximately 8 months. Construction schedules are subject to change and depend on factors such as weather and availability of crews and materials. 

Funding

The total project estimate is $7.5 million and is funded through the Levy to Move Seattle. Approved by voters in 2015, the 9-year, $930 million Levy to Move Seattle provides funding to improve safety for all travelers, maintain our streets and bridges, and invest in reliable, affordable travel options for a growing city.

Get involved

We're committed to keeping you informed and working with neighbors to limit construction impacts to the extent feasible. Here are some more ways to get information about the project:

• Sign up for the project listserv to receive regular project updates
• Email the project team at McGrawStBridge@seattle.gov
• Leave a voicemail at (206) 775-8734. A project representative will return your call. 

Materials

• Project factsheet (January 2024)
• Frequently Asked Questions (January 2024)

Translation and interpretation 

If you need this information translated, please call (206) 775-8734.

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