Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesSeattle’s replacement SR 520 floating bridge opened to traffic in April 2016, measuring 7,708.5 feet end to end—130.5 feet longer than the bridge it replaced. Its bigger footprint came with a different support system: 77 concrete pontoons instead of 33, heavier anchors and stronger cables, plus a wider roadway and a dedicated path for people walking and cycling. The floating span’s storm design and the seismic design of its fixed approaches address different risks, so the bridge’s safety story is not one single engineering fix.
How much longer is the new SR 520 floating bridge?
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) reports the replacement bridge at 7,708.5 feet from end to end and the former bridge at 7,578 feet. That makes the new crossing 130.5 feet longer. When it opened in April 2016, Guinness World Records named it the world’s longest floating bridge, according to WSDOT’s 2017 project booklet: SR 520 Bridge booklet.
That length is for the crossing end to end, not just the floating structure considered in isolation. A replacement bridge also had to accommodate a different roadway and connections at its shores. The increase in length was therefore part of a broader redesign, rather than simply an extension of the old floating deck.
How does a floating bridge carry a highway?
Instead of resting on columns driven down to the lakebed along its full length, the SR 520 floating section is supported by concrete pontoons at the water’s surface. WSDOT explains the basic principle: the pontoons displace water whose weight balances the bridge, including traffic. The arrangement must provide enough buoyancy while keeping the structure stable under changing loads and water conditions.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall#1 Best Overall
- Valued Carpenter Pencil Set: You will get 2 pcs solid carpenter pencils with 26 piece 2.8 mm refills, 1 replaceable sharpener, 1 plastic storage box.The complete carpenter pencils combination allows you to finish your work faster and more easily
- Deep Hole Marker Pencil: The deep-hole construction pencils adopts 45mm elongated tip design, which is more convenient to mark in the small hole or in other tight areas that other carpenter markers cannot reach
- Carpenter Pencils with Sharpener: The sharpener is screwed into the top of the work pencil, which won't get lost either. Built-in pencil sharpener that keep the lead with pointed and smooth to Improves line of sight in fine work
- Stronger Solid Lead: This work pencil is matched with a 2.8 mm thick lead , which is much thicker and stronger during the drawing process of construction work, it will not break or damage easily
- Marks on Various Surfaces: 3 colors solid construction pencil can marks on various surfaces,such as metal, plastic, wood, paper etc. Ideals for woodworkers, contractors, craftsmen, builders, merchants and masons
The replacement uses 77 pontoons, compared with 33 on the previous bridge, according to WSDOT’s current Floating Bridge and Landings Project information. More pontoons do not simply mean “more float”; their placement and connection matter. The large longitudinal pontoons form the principal floating units, while smaller pontoons alongside them add supplemental stability.
The largest pontoons
WSDOT says the 21 largest longitudinal pontoons, built in Aberdeen, are each 360 feet long, 75 feet wide, nearly 30 feet tall and weigh 11,000 tons. Smaller pontoons built in Tacoma flank them. These dimensions describe the largest units, not every pontoon in the 77-unit system.
Rank #2
- Ergonomically Designed: Work in tight areas with a compact design that gets into tough spots
- Compact and Lightweight: Both tools are designed to fit into difficult to reach spaces. The 1/4" impact driver has a length of 5.55 in. and weighs just 2.8 lbs, while the 1/2" drill/driver measures only 7.5 in. and weighs 3.6 lbs
- Both the DEWALT impact driver and electric drill driver feature integrated LED work lights with a convenient 20-second delay, ensuring enhanced visibility in dimly lit or challenging work areas
- One-Handed Loading - Keep one hand free with a 1/4 in. hex chuck that accepts 1 in. bit tips
- Power drill cordless with 1/2" single sleeve ratcheting chuck provides tight bit gripping strength, making bit changes faster and more secure
How the pontoons reached Lake Washington
Pontoon construction began in Aberdeen in 2011 and finished in spring 2015. WSDOT reports that crews built 33 pontoons in Aberdeen, including the largest longitudinal units, and 44 smaller units in Tacoma. The Aberdeen pontoons were built in cycles, floated out of the casting basin, inspected and towed to Lake Washington. That sequence made construction logistics part of the engineering challenge: huge concrete components had to be built, checked and moved to the lake before they could become part of the bridge. WSDOT describes the work on its Pontoon Construction Project page.
What changed to address wind and waves?
WSDOT says the old floating bridge was vulnerable to windstorms and waves. For the replacement, the agency reports heavier anchors and stronger anchor cables, as well as a design for a 100-year storm. Its current project information also gives a sustained-wind design value of 89 mph. These are WSDOT-reported design criteria; they should not be read as a report of an independent storm test or a guarantee of performance in every possible event.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
- 【Great Compatibility】This Katerk 1/4 inch hex shank bit holder is specifically designed for 1/4 inch hex shank drill bits. It's compatible with most 1/4 fast hex handles, hex sockets, various electric screwdrivers, and handheld screwdrivers. The bit holder makes it a valuable addition for any handyman.
- 【Secure and Safe】Built with a secure backup nut design, each drill bit holder securely locks onto your bits, ensuring they stay firmly in place. Additionally, our bit holder incorporates a high-quality steel ball rolling design that holds up to several kilograms of weight, ensuring your various drill bits don't fall off.
- 【Easy One-Handed Operation】The bit holder for impact driver allows you to change bits single-handedly, simplifying your workflow. Its multi-color design further allows for quick identification of the drill bit you need.
- 【Compact and Convenient】Thanks to its compact size, this 1/4 inch bit holder is easy to carry around. The bit holder allows for easy attachment to various tools, making this a convenient addition to your construction accessories. The Katerk bit holder is cast from high-quality alloy material, promising a long product lifespan. Despite its rugged strength, the bit holder remains lightweight, making it portable.
- 【Cool Christmas Gift For Men Stocking Stuffers】 This screwdriver bit holder, driver bit holder, impact bit holder, can be given as a gift to your loved one, especially for anyone involved in construction or electrical work. It's a must-have for stocking stuffers for men and women, tools gifts for dad, tech gadgets for men, gifts for dad, gifts for him, gifts for husband, gifts for boyfriend, cool gadgets for men, and cool gifts for dad.
Anchors and cables help restrain a floating bridge against movement, while the pontoon system supplies buoyancy and stability. Together, these elements respond to the special demands of a long bridge on open water, where wind and waves can act on the structure differently than on a conventional bridge supported from below.
What changed for drivers, transit riders and people walking or cycling?
The former bridge had four lanes without shoulders or transit/HOV lanes. The replacement has six lanes, including one transit/HOV lane in each direction, and wider shoulders. It also includes a separated, 14-foot-wide path for cycling and walking, providing a dedicated nonmotorized route across the lake. WSDOT describes these roadway features in its project overview.
Rank #4
- Long Nib and Deep Hole Marker: Our mechanical carpenter pencil with 45mm nib is designed for easy marking of deep holes or narrow areas. These construction pencils are the great choice for woodworking tools, construction tools, carpenter tools, contractor tools, wood carpentry tools and architect tools
- Extra Refills in 2 Colors for Versatile Marking: The construction mechanical pencil comes with 12 extra 2.8mm refills, including 6 red and 6 black refills. The black refill is suitable for light surfaces, while the red wax is perfect for dark surfaces. Our carpenter mechanical pencil makes sure that you'll have an ample supply for extended use
- Built-in Sharpener: Our construction pencil comes with a built-in sharpener to ensure the mechanical pencil tip is always sharp and ready for use. Never buy an extra pencil sharpener again. A great tool for any woodworker pencil, contractor pencils. The refill can easily be extended or retracted with a simple click of the pencils mechanical, allowing you to work more efficiently and accurately
- Portable Clip Design: Our deep hole construction pencil features a portable clip design, easy to carry and attach to your pocket or tool box, so that you can keep the carpenter pencils mechanical close at hand, making it a convenient tool to have on the go. Great gifts choice for carpenters
- Stronger Pencil Lead: The black refills are made of lead, sturdy and smooth. The red refills are made of wax, clear and light. These marking pencils are much thicker and stronger than normal pencils during the marking process of construction work, suitable for various surfaces, such as glasses, metal, boards, floors, walls, furniture, etc. The written marks can be easily wiped with a wet paper towel when needed
The bridge’s new width and lane arrangement serve highway and transit needs; the separated path serves travelers outside the roadway. Those features are part of the replacement’s broader capacity and access improvements, not changes to how pontoons displace water.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How are the fixed approaches different from the floating bridge?
The Lake Washington crossing includes fixed approach structures as well as the floating section. WSDOT says the old bridge’s fixed approaches were vulnerable to earthquakes, while the replacement approach bridges were designed to current seismic standards. That seismic upgrade applies to the fixed approach structures; it should not be confused with the anchors and cables used to restrain the floating section against wind and water forces.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Best Value
- Milwaukee Ink all Fine Point Marker, Black, 4 Per Pack
- 4 per pack Features Clog Resistant Marker Tip Writes through Dusty, Wet and Oily Surfaces Durable Marker Tip for Writing on Concrete, OSB and Rough Surfaces
- Clog resistant tip writes on dusty, wet and oily surfaces and is optimized for rough surfaces such as OSB, cinderblock and concrete
- Hard hat clip- attaches for easy access
- Quick dry time with reduced smearing and marking
When was the bridge built, and what did the projects cost?
Construction on the Floating Bridge and Landings Project began in early 2012. The floating bridge opened to traffic in April 2016, while completion of the overall Floating Bridge and Landings Project came in summer 2017. The separate pontoon construction project began in Aberdeen in 2011 and ended in spring 2015. These milestones refer to different stages and scopes of work.
WSDOT reports approximately $849 million for the Floating Bridge and Landings Project and approximately $515 million for the Pontoon Construction Project. Each figure includes preliminary engineering and right of way for that reported project scope. They are separate project figures, not a stated all-in cost for the full SR 520 corridor. WSDOT says the bridge was funded through state and federal sources, including tolling; its SR 520 program overview provides broader program context.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
