Immobilized South Park folks discover 'secret bridge' | Transportation

The recent closure of the South Park Bridge has drivers sneaking across a private bridge nearby - and many are calling it their secret route across the Duwamish River.

Records show the bridge is owned by The Boeing Co., and the signs leading up to it says "private property."

But drivers give all kinds of reasons why they are crossing here anyway.

"It's the only way through, with the convenience anyway," says one man who didn't give his name.

All day long the cars and trucks cross the small Boeing bridge over the Duwamish. It all started after June 30, when the aging South Park Bridge was closed, and many drivers found this little-known passage.

Boeing workers say traffic over the bridge has surged in the past couple of weeks - even though signs clearly state "Private Property - Admittance to Authorized Vehicles Only."

"I would say it doubled - especially the larger trucks," says Rich Sando.

But drivers say the convenience of the bridge - compared with the alternative of using traffic-jammed main arterials - makes it worth the risk.

"I mean this is private property through Boeing's parking lot, I think, so I'm not sure they'll keep allowing us to use it, but for now I got to get over there," says South Park's Emily Hartford.

"I just was trying it the first time and kind of looking around waiting for someone to tell me not to come through here, and so far they haven't."

William Mitchell says he doesn't pay much attention to the "private property" signs.

"Don't pay it no mind - just keep it moving, you know. Trying to get to South Park to the scrap yard. Whatever it takes to get there, that's what you gotta do," he says.

Another man who didn't give his name said he was using the private bridge to get to his credit union.

The Boeing Co. says it does have an agreement with the U.S. Postal Service and one other company to use their bridge, but that's it.

The company says it doesn't plan to start screening every vehicle crossing - unless they see a huge surge in traffic.

So - if you are one of the thousands now using this private route across the Duwamish River, it doesn't look like a crackdown is coming any time soon.

But Boeing will be monitoring the number of vehicles as time goes on.

Meanwhile, there's still not enough funding to build a replacement for the South Park Bridge. And officials say it will be years before a new South Park Bridge is built.