In honor of the launch of the new History page of Fremocentrist.com, read this article written by Millie Klassert-Marzec, from ‘The Fremont Forum’ newspaper, dated April 1st, 1979:
Fremont Bridge Stuck
by Millie Klassert
Motorists and pedestrians are being advised to use alternate routes when traveling to or from downtown. On Tuesday, April 2 at 4:35 p.m. an expensive pleasure craft signaled to the control tower that it wished to pass through the canal on its way to the Sound. It got through, but not before it struck the side of the bridge and jarred loose the wiring of the bridge’s control mechanism, causing the bridge to stick. Traffic was backed up for half mile on Fremont, and back as far as Vancouver’s on Eastlake.
Seattle police were busy until 6 p.m. putting up barricades and redirecting the rush hour traffic. According to one officer, the scene was similar to the Fremont Fair with traffic stopped and numerous persons walking around, apparently lost. “It has been hectic, but everyone has been very cooperative and almost in a party spirit,” he said.
But the owner of the boat, who wished to remain anonymous(his name is Bill McBride-the Forum tells all!), was not in a good mood. He will not only have to repair his yacht, but will also have to repay the City for the repair of the bridge, which has been set at a quarter-of-a-million dollars. The owner said he was planning to file for bankruptcy this week.
Motorists are advised to use the Ballard Bridge, the Aurora Bridge, or the University Bridge. Buses are also being rerouted and commuters are advised to call Metro for details.
Mayor Royer, who arrived late on the scene, apologized for the inconveniences this will cause local residents, but vowed to have the bridge operational by mid-June or early July.
This is all an April Fool’s joke.
While this article fooled with the facts, the news about the Fremocentrist.com History page, and the partnership between the Seattle Public Library and Fremocentrist.com to promote the ‘Neighborhood History Project’ (as detailed on the Fremocentrist.com Home page today,) are not.
Thank you to Millie Klassert-Marzec for providing, and permitting, this reprint of a ‘real’ piece from ‘The Fremont Forum’. Learn more about Klassert-Marzec’s history in Fremont from a column about her on Fremocentrist.com from October 5, 2012.