Mike Salsbury/The Olympian
Heavy equipment operator Ron Barth of Eugene, Ore., demolishes a section of the old Fourth Avenue bridge on Thursday. A new bridge is expected to be open by spring 2004.

End of the road for bridge

New detours will begin in January

MICHAEL BURNHAM, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published 20011231

Originally published November 30, 2001

OLYMPIA -- West Olympia residents on Thursday got a detailed map of how Fourth Avenue bridge construction will affect their ability to get around.

About 40 people at an open house asked those building the new bridge how the $38.5 million project will affect the environment, local jobs and west-side traffic.

Among the things they learned was that a nine-month detour through west-side streets will begin in January.

Construction crews from the Hamilton Construction Co. of Springfield, Ore., began tearing down the existing, 81-year-old span this month. The new bridge could be open for use by spring 2004.

By mid-March, crews plan to remove the old span and build a temporary work bridge.

Crews had removed the bridge's western end by nightfall Thursday.

"It's starting to disappear on us," project manager Tom Frare said.

Tough on traffic

The detour will allow construction crews to remove traffic lights and build two roundabouts at the bridge's western end.

A temporary, two-lane bridge, built this summer, will handle the flow of drivers moving from Harrison Avenue to the downtown stretch of Fourth Avenue.

Drivers moving from Fifth Avenue to Harrison Avenue will detour via Perry Street. Signs will be posted along the detour route that will tell drivers which lanes to use.

Audience members questioned how the neighborhood traffic influx will affect those walking to and from Garfield Elementary School, one block north or Harrison Avenue.

School crossing guards now provide assistance at the intersection of Harrison Avenue and Perry Street.

"We'll be monitoring traffic for the children because, unfortunately, children will be coming and going ... during morning peak traffic," Frare said.

When the detour begins, some Perry Street residents will no longer have on-street parking.

Frare said residents might receive replacement parking along the block's back alley.

"There's no other way to describe that detour," Frare added. "It's going to be invasive to that neighborhood."

City officials removed traffic-calming devices along the detour route to ensure a smooth flow of vehicle traffic, but one woman asked what will be done to curb neighborhood speeding.

"During the peak hours, congestion is going to be its own traffic-calming (device)," said Larry Leveen, a member of Olympia City Council's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee. "During off hours -- that's where there is concern."

Roundabouts will be built at the intersection of Olympic Way and Fourth and Fifth avenues, just west of both bridges, as well as at the three-way intersection of Olympic Way, Harrison Avenue and West Bay Drive.

City officials contend the new roundabouts will inhibit traffic congestion.

"Those roundabouts aren't really truck-friendly," said Mike Pelly, an independent trucker. "Trucks are going to take up that entire circle to make that corner."

The roundabouts were designed to handle the legal load for vehicles, Frare said.

"The bottom line is: they're going in," said Frare, who recounted a lengthy public process before the roundabouts were approved. "I guess time will tell if you're right."

Environment

Bridge officials were peppered with questions about the demolition's environmental impact.

"What type of trestle will it be, and will there be any leakage into the water?" asked Olympia resident Tom Howdeshell.

"All equipment that goes out is going to have a diaper and containment equipment on it," answered Hamilton project manager Brad Sullivan.

Cofferdams will allow workers to minimize the construction's effects on the Budd Inlet.

"Anything that falls in the water must be retrieved," said Frare, who added that water quality will be monitored in the construction area. "We will meet all permit requirements. We have a responsibility to report all violations to the Department of Ecology."

While Hamilton now has a six-member crew on site, Sullivan said the total crew of subcontractors could grow to about 60 workers during the project.

Local union members who attended Tuesday's meeting said they're eager to work with the Oregon company.

The bridge constitutes the largest public works project in Olympia's history.

"We're concerned about getting some local union people working on the project," said Pelly, a member of South Sound Residential Trades Union Local 360.

Easy on the eyes

The new bridge will be lit from underneath and include two bike lanes.

Two vehicle lanes will exit downtown, while a third will enter downtown.

Sidewalks flanking the span will include half-circle coves to view the Olympic Mountains.

Roundabouts will include artwork. A park along Olympic Way's eastern edge will present a broad view of downtown and will include balusters from the veteran bridge.

Michael Burnham covers Olympia for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-704-6869.

Project schedule

- November 2001: Removal of old Fourth Avenue bridge begins.

- Winter 2001-02: Removal of old Fourth Avenue bridge completed.

- January 2002: Nine-month west-side detour begins.

- February 2002: Construction of new Fourth Avenue bridge begins.

- Spring 2004: Removal of temporary Fourth Avenue bridge begins; new Fourth Avenue bridge opens.

On the Web:

- The Olympia Gateway Corridor

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