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WSDOT online open houses

I-405 Lind Avenue Southwest Bridge Span Replacement Online Open House

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Welcome to our online open house!

We want to provide more information about this project and answer any questions you might have about the work and the timeline.

The Washington State Department of Transportation will soon replace a damaged span of the Lind Avenue Southwest bridge over southbound I-405.  This overpass serves businesses and people who live in Renton by providing another route to cross I-405 adjacent to State Route 167. It helps connect the communities of Kent and Tukwila with people who live north of I-405.

Road closure of Lind Ave at SW 12th Street in Renton with detour sign
Lind Ave is closed at SW 12th Street in Renton until the overpass can be replaced.

What happened?

In summer 2022, a truck hauling a backhoe struck the overpass, ripping out chunks of concrete from five of the eight girders that support the bridge.  WSDOT bridge inspectors determined the supporting structure was compromised.

Bridge strike damage on underside of Lind Ave bridge

Why not just repair the girders?

The level and location of damage make replacing the damaged girders difficult and expensive. The age of the bridge means outdated engineering methods were utilized in its construction. Bridges built to these standards remain safe and functional, but these methods are no longer considered best practices for stability and longevity. Our construction plan calls for replacing the entire north span and part of the south span of the Lind Avenue bridge.

Close-up of bridge strike damage

Why is the bridge closed?

The bridge has limited weight-bearing capacity. We recognize this closure causes an inconvenience for those who live and work around there but it’s not safe to allow unregulated vehicular traffic across the span.

We hope to keep it open for cyclists and pedestrians for as long as possible based on safety and construction schedule.

Road closure of Lind Ave at SW 12th Street in Renton with detour sign

What should people expect?

Crews will need a weekend-long southbound I-405 closure to demolish the damaged section. A detour will take drivers around the work zone using the Talbot Road South exit to South Grady Way. This means drivers who want to access SR 167 need to take the detour at Talbot Road, then a left turn at Rainier Avenue connects them to SR 167.

Crews will also need approximately six to eight nighttime closures of southbound I-405 to place girders and rebuild the bridge deck. These closures may utilize multiple ramps to preserve access to SR 167. Those who want to detour back to I-405 will exit and use Grady Way and Interurban Avenue South.  

Construction will also require single and double-lane closures on northbound and southbound I-405. When those lanes are closed the Rainier Avenue on-ramp to southbound I-405 may be closed. Lind Avenue will remain closed until the project is complete. 

Timeline

Work should begin in summer 2023 with construction completed by winter 2024.

Additional summer construction on I-405

Additional summer construction in Renton

Know before you go and on the road