The 2015-2016 Lake Washington No-Go Zone…

This morning I received a call from Washington State Department of Transportation.  Because we had requested drawspan openings of the 520 bridge a few times this summer, they wanted to call and provide some information on upcoming changes to the bridge openings.  Essentially it boils down that the bridge won’t be opening anymore, until it’s removed entirely.  Well shoot, I guess it’s good we managed to explore Coulon Park and Andrews Bay this summer because we won’t get going there for a while.

If you don’t already know, WSDOT is in the process of building a replacement bridge across Lake Washington for State Highway 520 and for the past year-ish the East highrise has been partially blocked by construction barges.  The West highrise only accommodates 45ft tall boats and the partial blockage of the East highrise limits boat height to 58ft.  So vessels taller than 58ft needed to request a bridge opening.  Opening the 520 bridge appears to be a major process and I honestly think WSDOT is happy they have an excuse not to do it anymore.  Since the bridge is not manned normally, and it’s getting old, boaters need to provide at least 2 hours notice for a requested opening.  WSDOT literally drives trucks down both sides of the bridge to slow and block traffic, then walk over to the controls and open the bridge.  It’s quite a process to watch.  Drivers who are crossing this bridge (one of two across the lake) will probably love the fact that they won’t be delayed 30 minutes at random times during the day (luckily during weekday rush-hour the bridge never opens anyway).

Reading the project details, it seems the actual navigational height on the East Highrise was apparently 64ft but the new bridge blocks part of the channel under the old bridge so you can’t navigate under the highest clearance portion.

Anyway, this is a problem for us because Mobert’s mast is 62ft off the water.  Since the highest part of the East channel is blocked, the West channel doesn’t even come close (45ft maximum), and the drawspan will be blocked, Mobert is going to be limited to the North end of Lake Washington for the next two summers. The good news is that the Lake Washington Ship Canal, which provides access to Lake Union and Puget Sound (through 4 drawbridges and the Ballard Locks) actually joins Lake Washington on the north side of the 520 bridge so we still have access to open saltwater.

Near the end of 2016, the old bridge will be removed.  The new bridge does not have a drawspan (Great news for drivers!) but the new East highrise will have 70ft of clearance (Good news for sailors too!).  So not only will we have access to the rest of the Lake, we won’t need to worry about scheduling a drawspan opening anymore.  I guess we can look at it as temporary pain for long-term gain.

• I’m curious about any boaters that moor their sailboats south of 520, are there any with masts higher than 58ft?  If so, how do they feel about being completely locked in to the south end of the lake, with no access to Puget Sound?