Bridge for sale
April 2, 2008
By Ed Farrell
Got someone on your shopping list who’s difficult to buy for because they already have everything?
King County has something just for you. How about a slightly-used, moved-once-before, last-of-its-kind steel truss bridge?
King County is auctioning off the old Mount Si Bridge in North Bend. Opening bid for the 171-foot-long, 20-foot-wide structure is $1, according to Russ Johnson of the county’s Road Services Division.
Johnson said the county has already exhausted all its attempts to find another governmental agency to purchase and relocate the bridge. Now the public has the opportunity to own a piece of history.
And with work nearing completion on the $21.5 million replacement structure, the old bridge will be deemed a hazard, and must be removed, as soon as the new span is operational, Johnson said.
He warned, however, that the winning bidder would assume some serious costs involved with earning ownership of the bridge. Johnson estimated the ultimate buyer may have to spend $700,000 to $900,000 to disassemble and then reassemble the structure at another location.
The old structure, he said, is being offered “as is,” which includes a lot of rust and a poor state overall.
The bridge’s paint is lead-based as well, which will require special handling and disposal. Plus, the new owner will have to assume the cost of relocation of the structure.
While the old structure is considered obsolete for a use similar to its current status on the Snoqualmie, it would be perfectly suitable to a number of other uses.
“The bridge can be used for almost any purpose,” states a release by King County, “such as a structure located on a golf course, recreational park, hike and bike trail, pedestrian walkway or private road.”
If not sold, Mowat Construction, the contractor for the new span, will be allowed to retain the old structure for scrap.
Still, the deal is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of history.
According to the county, the Mount Si Bridge “is an example of bridge building history in King County. As one of the original steel truss bridges on the Snoqualmie River system, it is unique because the Mount Si Bridge is the last remaining pin-connected bridge in unincorporated King County.”
The bridge was originally built in 1914 to span the White River between Buckley and Enumclaw. It was moved to the present location in 1955.
The new span is both longer and wider than the old bridge, and designed to have better alignment and visibility for drivers, according to the county. The new span also incorporates a 6-foot sidewalk, which will make the bridge safer for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.
The new structure is expected to be open by fall 2008.
Johnson said there will be a mandatory pre-bid meeting at the bridge site at 9 a.m. April 8, with the opening of bids scheduled for 10:30 a.m. April 14 at King County Department of Transportation’s Road Services Division, 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle.
For more information on the Mount Si Bridge project, go to http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/roads/cip/default.aspx or contact Johnson at 206-263-6263.
Reporter Ed Farrell can be reached at edfarrell@snovalleystar.com or 392-6434.
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