The Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, also known as the SR 520 Bridge, has been a significant part of Washington State's infrastructure since its opening in 1963. This bridge, officially named the Governor Albert D. Rosellini Bridge, connected Seattle to the Eastside communities, facilitating the movement of people and goods across Lake Washington. Over the years, the bridge underwent various changes and eventually was replaced by a new structure in 2016.
The Original Bridge
The original Evergreen Point Floating Bridge was a marvel of engineering when it opened on August 28, 1963. It was constructed as a four-lane toll bridge to provide a direct route from Seattle to the Eastside communities like Bellevue, Kirkland, and Redmond. The bridge's construction cost was $21 million in 1961 dollars, which would be approximately $127 million in 2011 dollars. To recoup this investment, a toll of 35 cents was charged in each direction until 1979.
The bridge was notable for its design, featuring a pontoon structure with movable midsections to allow for boat passage. At the time of its completion, the bridge's 7,578-foot floating section was the longest in the world. However, the bridge faced challenges, including the need for closure during high winds and the risk of collapse during an earthquake due to its outdated design standards.
The Need for Replacement
As early as five years after its opening, studies were conducted to address the increasing demand for cross-lake transportation. By the late 1990s, the bridge was carrying twice the traffic it was designed for, leading to significant congestion. Additionally, the bridge's structural integrity was a concern, with risks of failure during major windstorms or earthquakes.
In 1997, it was determined that even with repairs, the bridge would only last until about 2017. This prompted the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to plan for a replacement. The new bridge would need to accommodate modern traffic demands and meet current safety standards.
The New Bridge
Construction of the replacement bridge began in 2011, with the new structure opening to westbound traffic on April 11, 2016, and to eastbound traffic on April 25, 2016. The new Evergreen Point Floating Bridge surpassed its predecessor in length, becoming the longest floating bridge in the world at 7,710 feet. It also became the widest, with six lanes of traffic and a multi-use trail for pedestrians and cyclists.
The new bridge addressed many of the old bridge's shortcomings, providing a safer and more efficient crossing for the thousands of vehicles that use it daily. The old bridge was closed permanently on April 22, 2016, and was fully removed by spring 2017, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in Washington's transportation history.
