Heavy Lifting in Kent; Giant Cranes Will Lift Two 50-Ton Skybridge Sections into Place Across BNSF Tracks At ST Sounder Station (A great picture story!)

April 19, 2002

Two huge cranes will be used late Sunday night (April 21) to lift a pair of sections that will form a skybridge across the BNSF tracks at Sound Transit's Kent Sounder Station. The skybridge will provide safe and convenient access from the Sounder platforms to the new parking garage adjacent to the station.

A 500-ton crane--with an "assist" from a smaller 165-ton crane--will begin lifting the first section of the bridge shortly after 10 PM when all train traffic will be halted. This section of bridge will span the BNSF tracks. If all goes well, a second, slightly shorter section of bridge will be hoisted into place across First Avenue and connecting with the parking garage.

Facts & Figures:

Two sky bridge sections @ 135 feet and 120 feet
Each section weighs approximately 50 tons
Traffic on BNSF tracks will be halted between 10 PM and 4 AM
Contractor: PCL Construction Services of Bellevue, WA
Skybridge is part of Phase 2A of on-site construction—Construction Budget: $3.8 million
Phase 2A includes:

Pedestrian bridge connecting the garage to the north and southbound platforms;
Construction of a public entry plaza on the southeast corner of the station;
Completion of the bus transit island on the east side of the station, and;
"Rider drop off" areas on the east and west sides

WHAT: Placement two-section skybridge at Kent Sounder Station

WHERE: Between First and Railroad Avenues at Smith Street

WHEN: Beginning Sunday April 21, 2002 at 10 PM

(NOTE TO EDITORS: Page Lee Somerstein <206-689-9804> to arrange for access to the construction site)

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Sound Transit plans, builds and operates regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound.