Date:  Thursday, September 04, 2008

Contact: Hung Huynh, WSDOT Project Engineer, 206-440-4311
Greg Phipps, WSDOT Communications, 206-464-1265

SEATTLE –The State Route 99 Aurora Bridge Fence advisory committee will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 9 to review WSDOT’s latest design alternatives. The meeting will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Room 109 at Seattle Pacific University's Otto Miller Hall, located at 3469 Third Avenue W.

WSDOT is designing a fence to deter people from jumping from the Aurora Bridge and improve safety for those who live, work and travel underneath the bridge. The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In previous meetings the committee helped WSDOT refine its design to include the following features:

• vertical, rather than horizontal, elements
• stainless steel cables, rather than steel bars
• a visually light and transparent appearance that complements and does not compete with the bridge's historic nature

At next Tuesday’s meeting committee members will review design alternatives for the top of the fence.

WSDOT will hold future committee meetings at the same time and location on Tuesday, Sept. 30, and Tuesday, Oct. 21. WSDOT invites the public to attend committee meetings and provide either spoken or written comments. Members of the public who cannot attend advisory committee meetings can review the latest design concepts and submit comments on the project Web site at
www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR99/AuroraBridgeFence. New design concepts will be posted on the Web site on Monday, Sept. 8.

WSDOT formed the advisory committee to reflect the interests of community, business and government groups during the development of fence designs. The committee is helping WSDOT identify a preferred alternative before the agency presents its preferred design to the city of Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board later this year.

The Washington State Legislature provided $1.5 million for project design last March and will consider $5.9 million in construction funding during the 2009 legislative session. If the Legislature approves construction funding, and the Landmarks Preservation Board and the state Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation approve the preferred design, fence installation could begin in early 2010. 

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Drivers can now get real time traffic and weather information by dialing 5-1-1 from most phones. This new traveler information system builds upon the highly successful Washington State Highway hotline that managed 4.6 million calls each year. Callers can also use 5-1-1 to get statewide construction, mountain pass condition, and state ferry system information, as well as toll free numbers for passenger rail and airlines. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.

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