Posts Tagged ‘construction’

South Park Bridge Construction Update #2

June 13th, 2011

It’s been a few weeks since our last South Park Bridge update, and here’s what’s been happening!

The construction management team–made up of King County Road Services staff members and our bridge design and construction consultants–has officially moved into its new construction offices on Dallas Street. When I visited them there last Friday, they were all raving about the neighborhood lunch spots.

The archaeological dig is now underway. A team of consultants is digging as many as 22 excavation pits west of the old bridge approach in search of materials such as shells, animal bones, stone tools, and hearths. So far, they’ve opened six excavation pits and have found shell and other artifacts in five of these. Some of the thickest intact cultural layers are being found under the road at the south end of the old bridge. All of the items found will be analyzed before being sent to the Burke Museum.

Personnel from Kiewit-Massman, the county’s contractor for the South Park Bridge replacement project, are moving into their offices on the Boeing side of the bridge. They’re also busy ordering the materials needed for the project, including machinery that’s coming all the way from Alabama.

Over the next couple of months, you’ll see their workers bringing materials and equipment into the construction staging area on the south side of the bridge. Starting in August, the contractor will be salvaging gears from the pier of the old bridge for reuse in the pedestrian railings of the new bridge. They’ll also be starting in-water work to build the piers for the new bridge.

For more information about the construction schedule and activities, see the project website at www.kingcounty.gov/southparkbridge. We’ll also be sharing updated information at a variety of neighborhood meetings in the coming weeks, including the June 14 South Park Neighborhood Association meeting, the June 20 Georgetown Community Council meeting, and the June 21 South Park Neighborhood Association Traffic Subcommittee meeting. Maybe I’ll see you at one of those–be sure to say “hi” if I do!

Ashley DeForest, Community Relations Planner
Communications, King County Department of Transportation

ashley.deforest@kingcounty.gov 206-684-1154

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South Park Bridge Construction Update #1

May 30th, 2011

Thanks to everyone who took part in the groundbreaking ceremony on May 5. It was a huge success and we look forward to getting construction underway in the coming weeks.

Throughout the construction process we’ll be posting periodic updates to let you know what’s going on. You can also stay informed about construction and reach us in a number of ways:

Here are just a few things you’ll see in the coming weeks…

Who is moving into that new trailer on Dallas Street?
The construction management team-made up of King County Road Services staff members and our bridge design and construction consultants-will be moving into their new construction offices on Dallas Street within the next week. Their job will be overseeing the construction to make sure it is on schedule, within budget, and built in accordance with the design plans, specifications, and permit conditions. You’ll probably see a few familiar faces from King County, including Tim Lane, deputy project engineer, and Trinh Truong, project manager. Be sure to say hi!

What was here 1,000 years ago?
A past survey of the construction area found three prehistoric archaeological sites. One of these is in the path of the new bridge and under the footprint of the old bridge. Around 1,000 years ago, the main channel of the Duwamish River flowed about 350 feet south of the existing channel, and the ancestors of the Duwamish people lived on the banks of the river. (This channel had become an oxbow, or a U-shaped bend in the river, and was filled in during the early 20th century.) A team of consultants plans to dig as many as 22 excavation pits west of the old bridge approach in search of archaeological materials such as shells, animal bones, stone tools, and hearths. Any items found will be analyzed before going to the Burke Museum.

When will we see the contractor?
Kiewit-Massman, the joint-venture contractor selected for the project, received its official “Notice to Proceed” on May 17, which means that work on the bridge construction can begin. The first order of business will be to move in to their on-site offices, which are on the Boeing side of the bridge. Next you’ll see their workers bringing materials and equipment into the construction staging area on the south side of the bridge. Starting in July, the contractor will start salvaging the gears from the pier of the old bridge for reuse in the pedestrian railings of the new bridge. (Visit the project website to see a rendering of the new railing.)

Where can I learn more about the construction schedule and activities?
Information about the construction schedule and activities is available on the project website at www.kingcounty.gov/southparkbridge. We will be sharing updated information at a variety of neighborhood meetings in the coming weeks – stay tuned!

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MLK Day work party @ 12th and Trenton in SP

January 12th, 2011

I know, I know… work and party don’t naturally go together, but there is a special breed out there that enjoy taking on a challenge and kicking it’s as*(terisk).

Martin Luther King Day is traditionally a day of public service.  MLK Day is coming up next Monday, January 17th, and we just happen to have a project that is ready made for public participation.
The Friends of Twelfth and Trenton have been meeting, planning and designing for a pocket park at the top of the stairs at, well, 12th & Trenton.
Anyone who walks South Park will scoff and say “Hah, how can they plan a park at the top of those stairs?  It’s just a bunch of blackberries and broken beer bottles.”  That is where the vision of the few, and the public service of the many can come together to make the difference.
We will assemble at noon on Monday, January 17th and pit (Wo)Man against invasive… pluck vs. pickers… hard-ass vs. broken glass!!!
If you have the day off, and you want to participate, show up at noon with leather gloves and a six-pack of resolve.
If you have the day off, and you don’t want to participate, show up at noon with a six-pack…
If you don’t have the day off, but do want to participate, just send a check for the six-pack!
Seriously though, if you can make it on Monday, we would love the help… and we would love to meet and interact with our neighbors.
If I missed a detail, please ask for more…

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River City Skatepark – work party to help finish it!!!

November 5th, 2010

Hello good people!
The time is here – the park is almost finished.  The concrete is finished and the park is well on its way to being a citywide fave.  We will be raking the site out on Sunday, trimming back the perimeter grass, and spreading mulch in preparation for topsoil and grass seed next week.  Come on out if you can – cheer us on, pick up a rake or shovel, and check out what your good will made happen.
We’ll be at the park between 10 and 2, skating afterwards if you’re free and it is dry.  Please spread the word far and wide.  We’ll have some tools, but feel free to bring anything you think might be useful.  If you have a weedeater, bring it, we’ll have pre-mix.
Thank You!

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River City Skate Park construction progress

July 12th, 2010

Mark Johnson gives us an update on what’s going on over at the River City Skate Park at Cloverdale and 99.

The park is finally underway.  We received the remaining funding in 2008 ($90,000 from Department of Neighborhoods) and were in a permitting tangle for the better part of ’09.  The overly wet spring kept us from moving any dirt on site until just recently.  During the permitting lapse, Grindline’s work load diminished, as did their cashflow, requiring them to charge cost for the labor to build the park rather than donate the whole thing as originally planned.  We had only raised funds to build a park that would receive labor gratis, so Grindline went back to the board and designed what I think is the best option for South Park. » keep reading »

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