With the immediate future of the closed West Seattle High-Rise Bridge still in doubt, the City of Seattle has tapped an HNTB-led team to design a long-term replacement for the 2,607-ft long structure.

The city made the selection even as it continues to weigh options for repair or replacement of the 36-year-old bridge, which was shut down March 23 following the discovery of accelerated cracking in its support structure. Analysis by the city’s structural engineering consultant WSP and an independent technical advisory panel have determined that repairs may be feasible, with options ranging from shoring to partial or full superstructure replacement.