Bronson Way Bridge reopens with final paint, seismic retrofit

Beginning in the fall of 2022, the bridge construction project’s second phase finished ahead of schedule.

By Bailey Jo Josie bailey.jo.josie@rentonreporter.com • July 14, 2023 2:10 pm
A side-by-side comparison of the bridge before and after phase one shows a cleaner, more fresh structure. The photo on the left was taken Sept. 7 and the photo on the right was taken Oct. 13. Photo courtesy of the City of Renton
A side-by-side comparison of the bridge before and after phase one shows a cleaner, more fresh structure. The photo on the left was taken Sept. 7 and the photo on the right was taken Oct. 13. Photo courtesy of the City of Renton

At long last, the Bronson Way Bridge construction is finished and it is open to cars and pedestrians.

Announced by the City of Renton on Wednesday, July 12, the bridge has been re-opened and, while there is still minor work to be done, there will be no full bridge closures.

Along with the Bronson Way Bridge, the adjacent Cedar River Trail has also been re-opened to walking and biking.

The bridge had been closed since May 15 in order for the city to complete Phase two of the bridge’s seismic retrofit and painting project.

Construction crews used hydraulic jacks to elevate the bridge, removed the existing rocker and fixed bearings and then installed four new elastomeric bearing pads on the new concrete bearing pedestals, along with an installation of a new waterproofing membrane on the concrete bridge deck. The bridge was then lowered back to its original height.

Construction crews were also able to complete other maintenance work on the bridge, like the new paint, removal of existing asphalt overlay wearing course, installation of new asphalt overlay wearing course on the concrete bridge deck, repairing the underlying concrete bridge deck, repairing existing concrete curbs, removing existing steel slide plate expansion joints, adjusting the bridge drain inlet grates and installing new compression seal expansion joints.

The construction finished two days ahead of schedule, just in time for the city’s annual Renton River Days which runs from July 21 to 23.

Built in 1939, the Bronson Way bridge has never had a seismic retrofit, which would make the bridge resistant to earthquakes, soil failure and other ground motion.

Phase one of the bridge project began on Sept. 23, 2003, and was completed on Oct. 14, three weeks ahead of schedule. Construction is estimated at $2.5 million and is contracted by Combined Construction, Inc.