Next year, the Seattle Department of Transportation plans to retrofit the Ballard Bridge. According to the SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) Checklist (.pdf):
The project will add various structural strengthening elements to the Ballard Bridge in order to prevent collapse of the structure during an upper-level seismic event. The project will strengthen transverse diaphragms, add blocking between adjacent floor beams, replace knee bracing with plate girder diaphragms, install steel jackets around bridge columns, add seat extenders, and notch the backwall. In addition to the seismic retrofits the project will replace the street lights and poles along the bridge deck.
According to the SEPA Determination of Non-Significance, SDOT has determined that the project “will not have a probable significant adverse impact on the environment” and an environmental impact statement is not required.
The public can make comments on this SEPA Determination of Non-Significance (.pdf) until April 25th at 5 p.m.