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  2. Judd Creek Bridge

Judd Creek Bridge No. 3184 repair project

Project started Monday, April 5 and expected to last approximately three weeks

April 5 closure sign for work on Judd Creek Bridge.
Judd Creek Bridge closure sign. Work beings Monday, April 5th.

Status update

Thursday, April 8, 2021

The three-week full closure began at 8 a.m. Monday, April 5 and will last until 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 28 . Flaggers will direct traffic around the closed-off area.

A signed detour JPG 213KB is in place to direct through traffic around the bridge closure.

Here is a flyer for neighbors PDF 3MB. The flyer contains information about construction and access to business and homes during construction, and other useful information.

Overview

Judd Creek Bridge was built in 1951 to carry Vashon Highway SW traffic over the creek that leads to Quartermaster Harbor, just south of SW Quartermaster Drive. Growing traffic volumes and heavier vehicles have severely strained a portion of this 70-year-old bridge. Now the structural supports under the north end of the bridge are wearing out and require maintenance . We are repairing the area to ensure that this critical route remains safe for all traffic and help prevent an emergency closure.

To do the work, King County Road Services will completely close the bridge to all vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. The closure will last up to 23 days. We will maintain local access leading up to the bridge on both ends, however the bridge will be closed to all pedestrians, vehicles and bicycles.

Construction activity may occur during the day or night, including overnight. We will make every effort to complete noisy work during the day. There will be a signed detour route.

Judd Creek Bridge.
Judd Creek runs into Quartermaster Harbor. This 1951 bridge, built by famous bridge engineer Homer Hadley, carries nearly 4,800 vehicle trips each day over Judd Creek.

On this page

Contact us

Broch Bender, Roads Communications Manager
Desk 206-263-1189
Email

Detour route

Judd Creek Bridge detour route map.
Detour route JPG 213KB

Flyer

Judd Creek Bridge flyer.
Flyer for neighbors PDF 3MB

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Frequently asked questions

The north end of the bridge includes an expansion joint, a full-width concrete beam under the bridge, and four sets of bearings which allow the bridge to move with temperature changes.

King County inspectors routinely inspect all roadway bridges, including this one, per federal requirements. While the bridge on the whole is in very good condition, this north section of the bridge does require repair due to the deterioration of the concrete beam, bearings and expansion joint. The deterioration is partially due to the age of the bridge, combined with the growing traffic volumes and heavy truck traffic.
This bridge is located just west of Quartermaster Harbor on Vashon Island. Vashon Highway SW and SW Quartermaster Drive is the intersection to the north. Vashon Highway SW and SW 228th Street is the intersection to the south.

Map showing location of Judd Creek Bridge on Vashon Island.
This section of Vashon Highway carries 4,800 (2-3% trucks) vehicles per day and connects Burton to the ferry terminal on the north end of the island. It also carries Metro Route 118 and several school buses. School may or may not be in session during construction due to COVID-19.
Construction is anticipated to begin Monday, April 5. The closure will be in place around-the-clock for up to three weeks. Crews expect to work Monday- Friday, though some work may occur during the weekend. No loud work will occur during early morning or evening hours.
No, the bridge is not wide enough to accommodate the construction zone and safe traffic flow at the same time.
King County is repairing the bridge now so that we can avoid possible emergency repairs and closure in the future. The work is being done early spring when there is less traffic on the road.
Some of this work is noisy. Construction contractors will use jackhammers to remove old concrete and trucks to haul it away. Trucks have sound-softening liners, muffled backup warning sounds, and the loudest work will be done during the day.
Vashon Highway SW typically has 4,800 trips each day. This traffic will use the detour route, making the detour route busier.

Detour route map for Judd Creek Bridge work
The estimated construction budget for this project is $200,000.
The project is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 5, 2021. We will complete the work before summer. The full bridge closure will only be in place for up to three weeks. Remaining work may require a single lane closure with flaggers directing traffic through the work zone.
U.S. Mail, package deliveries from UPS, Amazon and others, and waste collection will not be affected by this closure. All homes and businesses will remain accessible throughout construction. Deliveries may be out of sequence due to the bridge closure because drivers may not use the bridge to cross the creek. They must use the detour to enter from either the north or south.

Road Services Division

201 S Jackson Street
M/S: KSC-LS-0313
Seattle, WA 98104

Contact us

Email: Maint.roads@kingcounty.gov

24/7 Road Helpline: 206-477-8100 or 1-800-527-6237

TTY Relay: 711

Twitter: @KCRoads