West Seattle Bridge Update On Tuesday March 15th, Teamsters Local 174 concrete mixer drivers offered to return to work at three locations: Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel, Cadman Seattle, and Lehigh Cement. Their statement recognized the importance of the West Seattle Bridge repair; I thank them for noting this. The companies responded, noting they needed […]

West Seattle Bridge Last week SDOT began work to start installing carbon-fiber wrap to the west side of the exterior of the bridge. This work will continue on the exterior and inside of the bridge. Here’s an SDOT photo of exterior carbon fiber wrap: Carbon fiber wrap works in conjunction with epoxy injections into the […]

West Seattle Bridge / Concrete Mixer Driver Strike, Chelan 5-Way Intersection As the concrete driver strike remains unresolved, many of you have written in response to my articles about this, with different ideas of how the City might find creative ways to address the strike so we do not impact the goal for the West […]

West Seattle Bridge/Reconnect West Seattle Yesterday a federal mediator met with Teamsters 174 and employer representatives; here is the update Teamsters Local 174 posted after the meeting. I sincerely appreciate the willingness of Teamsters 174 to make a new proposal to go back to work immediately with only a one-year deal that includes less than […]

West Seattle Bridge/Reconnect West Seattle Update Work on the West Seattle Bridge repair is continuing.  We are approaching the date of February 20th by which time, in order to keep the project on schedule to complete work by the end of June 2022, concrete will be needed to continue work on post-tensioning inside the bridge. […]

West Seattle Bridge Timeline and Concrete I have been concerned that the failure of concrete companies to fairly address the workers’ rights issues of Teamsters, Local 174, 300 striking concrete mixer drivers and concrete plant workers, and resolve the strike could eventually impact the timeline for re-opening the West Seattle Bridge.  The strike to demand […]

West Seattle Bridge Update Last weekend the construction contractor completed the installation for the second external bridge platform. This will allow carbon fiber wrap and epoxy injections to be applied to the exterior of the bridge. The West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force will be meeting on February 10. Sound Transit Station Planning Progress Reports In addition to the Draft EIS, […]

West Seattle Bridge Repair Update The next important step in the repair of the West Seattle Bridge is the installation of the second external work platform, near Pier 18 on the east span of the bridge. This is scheduled to be raised into place on Saturday, January 29th. The work platforms allow for the installation […]

Sound Transit West Seattle Light Rail Draft EIS The Sound Transit Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the West Seattle Ballard Link Extension is now available online in advance of the formal publication date of January 28. Sound Transit will hold a 90-day public comment period starting January 28, though April 28. Here’s the West […]

Remarks about SPD Ruse, Faking Presence of Armed Proud Boys You watch my remarks from a press conference following revelations that the Seattle Police Department improperly used a ruse, faking radio calls claiming a hate group was marching through Seattle on June 8, 2020 toward people protesting police brutality. West Seattle Bridge Update Last weekend […]