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Bellevue’s new N.E. 12th Street bridge damaged

Published 6:47 pm Saturday, April 2, 2011

Workers begin cleaning up after the removal of the old N.E. 12th Bridge in downtown Bellevue over the weekend. I-405
Workers begin cleaning up after the removal of the old N.E. 12th Bridge in downtown Bellevue over the weekend. I-405

Engineers are evaluating damage to the new N.E. 12th Street bridge over Interstate 405 after a section of the old overpass, being demolished this weekend, unexpectedly shifted and fell into the new bridge.

Damage isn’t considered major, but further analysis will determine whether the south portion of the new bridge, which for now carries one lane of traffic in each direction, can reopen Monday at 5 a.m. as originally planned. Analysis of today’s damage by engineers from the Washington State Department of Transportation and the contractor, Guy F. Atkinson Construction, LLC, is expected to be available Sunday.

The incident this morning will have no effect on the anticipated 4 a.m. Monday reopening of I-405, which is closed all weekend for the demolition of the old 12th Street bridge.

There were no injuries in today’s incident. The new bridge was closed Friday night to drivers and pedestrians as a safety precaution.