As Seattle's Evergreen Point Floating Bridge crosses east over Lake Washington it passes upscale waterfront property, marinas, parks, and the exclusive Broadmoor neighborhood, arriving 7578 feet later in Bellevue, not far from the lakefront compound where Bill Gates lives. Where the bridge spans the water near the Washington Park Arboretum and the Museum of History and Industry is a "ramp-to-nowhere," an unused on-ramp that begins in mid-air and stretches over the water to the eastbound lane of the bridge, never having been connected to the road on the mainland.
Swimmers leap off the rail in the summer; they use artificial rock-climbing holds (like those found in a climbing gym) bolted to one of the structure's pylons to climb back up to the road deck after a jump.
The underside of the ramp forms parallel concave spaces; there is an inward-curling lip at the bottom edge of each concrete reinforcing beam. When a friend of a friend (I know, but I have proof) from the Washington State Department of Transportation inspected the ramp in September 2001, this is what he found.
Despite a broken rib, Chris Collingwood and the rest of Fountains of Wayne belted out another big fat fun show on Sunday night at the Experience Music Project museum in Seattle. Chris is still a bit thin (the word "hyperectomorph" comes to mind), and his rib just, well, broke. From sneezing or something. Apparently not entirely uncommon for fellers of his build. Sort of makes it hard to sing, says he, though he fooled us all despite the pain that night. Oy. Get well soon, Chris. The rest of the boys are completely supportive, of course, in between BBQ-sauce jokes. Don't miss the band on Jay Leno September 10, Jimmy Kimmel Live September 22 or 23 (I have conflicting info), and VH1 September 30 (last Sunday's EMP show will be aired then). Hit the FOW tour schedule for all the info.
War is not peace.
Occupation is not liberation.
Immigrants are not terrorists.
Police-state restrictions are not security.