University Bridge (Seattle)
| University Bridge | |
|---|---|
 University Bridge from the west; part of the Ship Canal Bridge is visible in the top right corner | |
| Carries | Eastlake Avenue |
| Crosses | Portage Bay |
| Locale | Seattle, Washington |
| Design | Bascule bridge |
| Longest span | 66 m (218 ft) |
| Opened | 1919 |
| Coordinates | 47°39′11″N 122°19′12″W / 47.65309°N 122.32010°WCoordinates: 47°39′11″N 122°19′12″W / 47.65309°N 122.32010°W |
The University Bridge is a double-leaf bascule bridge that carries Eastlake Avenue traffic over Seattle, Washington, USA's Portage Bay between Eastlake and the University District. Built in 1919, it has an opening span of 66 meters (218 feet). The bridge was remodeled in 1933 and was dedicated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Sinkhole
On May 2, 2007, a 24-inch (60 cm) water main broke near the south end of the University Bridge, creating a 10-foot-deep sinkhole forcing the closure of the bridge.[1] The sinkhole also swallowed two unoccupied parked cars. The water main break compromised water quality and pressure in a large part of the Eastlake neighborhood, making tap water brown and unpotable. Many restaurants and other businesses were forced to close. There was concern for the integrity of a 40-inch main adjacent to the smaller one that broke. With the bridge closed, surface traffic between Seattle's University District and Downtown areas was heavily impacted. It was reopened on May 3, 2007, after city workers poured about 40 cubic yards of stabilizing concrete-sand slurry around the southern base of the bridge.[2]
Occupy Seattle
On November 17, 2011, the University Bridge was shut down by demonstrators for about an hour and a half during the evening rush hour, snarling traffic around the University District. The demonstrators included Occupy Seattle protesters, students, union workers, and church leaders. The protests were part of a national Day of Action against cuts to infrastructure, health care, and education spending.[3]
Pictures
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The bridge at sunset, viewed from the west
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View from the south end
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Bridge while open
References
- ↑ Massive sinkhole swallows cars, shuts down water service in Eastlake, Seattle P-I, May 2, 2007, retrieved 2009-03-21
- ↑ U. Bridge open again after repairs, Seattle Times, May 3, 2007, retrieved 2009-03-21
- ↑ Mike Lindblom (November 17, 2011). "University Bridge seized in rush-hour rally for jobs". Seattle Times. Retrieved 2011-12-30.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to University Bridge (Seattle). |
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