In more bridge news, the I-90 Bridge will also be closed at times this week.
I’m not sure I understand WHY the bridge is closed to bikes, but I could envision a wild scenario like this: I’m biking across the bridge and I get so distracted by precision aircraft overhead piloted by hot Naval officers in uniforms that I don’t watch where I’m going and I lose control of my bike, careening right off the bridge. Then, since the bridge is closed to traffic and no rescue vehicles could hoist me out of the water, I get picked up by drunken bikini-clad revelers watching the air show. I sue the state for failure to close the bridge and prevent this traumatic experience, which led me to develop gephyrophobia, which ruins my quality of life in a city riddled with bridge crossings.
It could happen!
Whatever. The bridge will be closed.
From WSDOT’s website:
Interstate 90 will be closed to all vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, eastbound and westbound, mainline and express lanes, between Interstate 5 in Seattle to Island Crest Way on Mercer Island:
- Thursday, Aug. 5: 9:45 a.m. – noon & 1:15 – 2:30 p.m., (Practice)
- Friday, Aug. 6: 12:45 p.m. – 2:40 p.m., (Practice)
- Saturday, Aug. 7: 12:45 p.m. – 2:40 p.m., (Full show)
- Sunday, Aug. 8: 12:45 p.m. – 2:40 p.m., (Full show)
* The bridge will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists up to 30 minutes prior to posted closure times.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Cascade Bicycle Club, George Durham and Transpo Choices, Benjamin Black. Benjamin Black said: RT @cascadebicycle: .: I90 Bridge closed while big jets make a lotta noise http://blog.cascade.org/2010/08/i90-bridge-closed/ [...]
this is because of an FAA law that defines “accident potential zones”, such that aircraft may not operate within certain distances of public structures. performance aircraft violate this law, and require a specific waiver from the FAA.
this is a United States federal law. the city of Seattle or the State of Washington or the US Navy does not have any authority to relax or reinterpret this law or its waiver in any way. it strictly prohibits all vehicles and pedestrians in the zone.
any official in the city, state, or even the military who would wilfully attempt to violate these federal regulations would be fined, and placed at significant risk of going to jail.
Thanks for the info @jephthah!