1. Preliminary Literature Review Summary
CEE 498/599A
South Park Bridge Counts Project

2. South Park Bridge Counts Project
Materials Reviewed
Port of Seattle Information Packet (provided to students at the initial meeting), hereinafter “Port Document”
King County’s South Park Bridge Project website at
-Information reviewed includes citizen advisory group links, technical
reports and plans, and the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
which was approx. 600 pages long and was completed in 2005.
Transportation-related websites for City of Seattle and Tukwilla (last slide provides links germane to this project)
Newspaper articles
CEE 498/599A
South Park Bridge Counts Project

3. Jurisdiction & Ownership
Jointly owned by King County & City of Tukwilla (who owns northern half of bridge)
City of Seattle/State DOT involved in planning/permitting process
Grant money from Federal Highway Administration combined with $10 million invested from King County only covers design costs, not construction costs…
CEE 498/599A
South Park Bridge Counts Project

4. Important Stakeholders (other than Port of Seattle)
South Park Residents
The Boeing Company
King County Airport
Sea Mar Health Clinic
Delta Marine (large recreational boat manufacturing company)
Over 17,000 employed within one mile of the South Park Bridge
CEE 498/599A
South Park Bridge Counts Project

5. South Park Bridge Counts Project
Port Document Summary
Does not specifically identify Port of Seattle usage.
04/2007 count: vehicle volume consistent from Tue. to Fri, approx. 19,000 vehicles/day
86% autos, 14% trucks
Weekend traffic volume ½ of midweek traffic of which 8 to 9% are trucks
CEE 498/599A
South Park Bridge Counts Project

6. Port Document Summary Continued
07/2005: Port trucks trip memo indicates:
-Regional truck traffic generated by Port of Seattle will grow at 2% per year from 2015 and 2030, with capacity reached by 2030.
-Total avg weekday port truck volume in 2002 was 6,010 & is expected to double in 2010, triple in 2030.
-Port truck trips start at 7 a.m. & peak from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Terminals close at 5 p.m.
CEE 498/599A
South Park Bridge Counts Project

7. King County Project Website Summary
Bridge handles over 10 million tons of freight/year and 20,000 vehicles/day
King County designates bridge as a heavy truck route while City of Seattle does not
South Park Bridge acts as a spur to existing transportation system which Port Trucks do use (e.g. SR 509 – SR 99)
CEE 498/599A
South Park Bridge Counts Project

8. King County Project Website Summary Continued
Since 1994 King County recognized bridge required either rehab or replacement
“Despite its critical role in the south Seattle transportation system, few studies [of the bridge] have been conducted in the past ten years wrt traffic impacts and congestion volume.” (Draft EIS, Appendix K-Transportation & Tech. Report)
Have been 20 engineering studies since 1987
Bridge roadway does not meet current design standards – width is 52’ & should be 64’
CEE 498/599A
South Park Bridge Counts Project

9. Additional References
City of Seattle Comprehensive Plan
Plan for managing growth 2004 to 2024 at
City of Seattle Freight Mobility Strategic Plan
Seattle DOT Plan to improve freight mobility at
CEE 498/599A
South Park Bridge Counts Project