Manette Bridge to open on Nov. 10

For more than 20 years Neelam Madu’s customers have turned right off the Manette Bridge, and right past the R&K Market on Harkins Street – a classic convenience store stop on the way home from the shipyard or downtown.

By Greg Skinner • November 4, 2011 1:58 pm
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Brian Sullivan and Melissa Ripley cross the temporary pedestrian path built between the historic Manette Bridge and the newly constructed replacement Tuesday afternoon. The new span is expected to open at noon on Nov. 10.
Brian Sullivan and Melissa Ripley cross the temporary pedestrian path built between the historic Manette Bridge and the newly constructed replacement Tuesday afternoon. The new span is expected to open at noon on Nov. 10.

This week, Madu is excited and waiting for the return of those she’s missed since the historic bridge closed to car traffic in late July. With her sales down by 50 percent, Madu said she was “excited” for the new bridge to open next week.

The Washington State Department of Transportation this week said the new Manette Bridge will open, as planned, during a noon ceremony on Nov. 10.

“It’s been the target date since we closed the historic bridge,” said Lisa Copeland, DOT communications manager.

Beyond the extra travel nuisance for residents and commuting workers, the car closure on the historic 1930s era Manette Bridge is blamed for a 20 to 30 percent drop in revenue for the shops and restaurants on the Manette side, which found itself cut off from the most direct route between the neighborhood to downtown.

Brian Sullivan and Melissa Ripley crossed from Bremerton to the Manette side Tuesday evening. With foot traffic open to cross through a hurricane fence lined path as their option for the moment, they said they too look forward to the bridge’s opening and better access to things they like.

The pair, who live on the downtown side, used to drive across the old span into Manette often to eat and be entertained in the small commercial district tucked in near the east entrance to the bridge.

In preparation for opening day, the Manette Neighborhood Coalition raffled off five chances to be in the first group of cars to cross the new Manette Bridge.

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