West Seattle Bridge Program

Updated November 28, 2022

What's Happening Now?

Español  |  繁體中文  |  한국어  |  Tiếng Việt  |  ភាសាខ្មែរ  | Oromiffa |  af Soomaali

West Seattle Bridge is open

The West Seattle Bridge reopened on September 17, 2022 after 2 ½ years of closure, repairs, and comprehensive testing. All people driving and taking the bus are welcome on the bridge. Additionally, all restrictions on the Spokane Street Swing Bridge (low bridge) have ended. The low bridge is now open for all to use at any time.

Reconnect West Seattle Follow-Up Survey

In fall 2022, after the bridge was repaired and reopened, we conducted a follow-up survey to help us understand how the investments we made impacted the way community members traveled across the Duwamish River during the bridge closure. You can read more about the results of the survey in our accompanying report

Key Takeaways:

  • Most Respondents said their commute methods stayed the same throughout the bridge closure.
  • Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, most respondents said they reduced or stopped commuting because of remote work or distance learning.
  • Survey respondents reported that they used the water taxi, bikes, and buses more during the bridge closure.
  • Most respondents heard about SDOT’s Flip Your Trip program. 

Thank you to the 1,600 people who completed the survey and helped us learn more about travelling around West Seattle during the closure of the bridge. 

Learn more about the bridge repairs 

Watch our construction recap video of highlights from the West Seattle Bridge repairs. In this video, Heather Marx, Director of the West Seattle Bridge Safety Program, recaps this year’s bridge repairs and recognizes all the incredible workers and partners involved in the monumental effort to reopen the bridge. You can also watch our full collection of repair videos on our YouTube Channel

West Seattle Bridge Program

From repairing the West Seattle Bridge, to rehabilitating the Spokane St Swing Bridge, to improving access to the low bridge for different users - and implementing more than 195 traffic mitigation projects to help make it easier and safer to get in and around West Seattle - the West Seattle Bridge Program is a major effort making improvements to infrastructure and in our communities. Let us help you navigate all the various projects that are happening as part of the program.

High Bridge Repairs 

How is the City rapidly repairing the West Seattle Bridge?

High bridge repair graphic

Low Bridge Access Policy 

Who can use the Spokane St Swing Bridge (low bridge)?

Low bridge access graphic

Reconnect West Seattle

How is the City restoring travel across the Duwamish and reducing neighborhood impacts?

Reconnect West Seattle icon

West Marginal Way SW 

What improvements are we considering along West Marginal Way SW?

West Marginal Way icon

Spokane St Swing Bridge Improvement Projects

How is the City keeping the low bridge strong and reliable? 

Low bridge projects icon

Travel Options 

What are ways you can get into and around West Seattle, and help minimize community impacts?

Travel options icon

Community Task Force 

Who is on the Community Task Force and how can I follow along? 

Community Task Force icon

Home Zone Program 

What improvements is the City making to calm traffic during the bridge closure?

Home Zone icon

Project Overview

On March 23, 2020, we closed the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge (high bridge) to all vehicle traffic. The sudden announcement to close the bridge stemmed from regular inspections that indicated accelerated growth of new and existing structural cracks. 

Historically, the high bridge is the city's most-used bridge, carrying an average of over 100,000 cars, trucks, and buses every day. The closure has caused a significant disruption to traffic in West Seattle, Duwamish Valley neighborhoods, and in Seattle as a whole. 

On November 19, 2020, Mayor Jenny Durkan announced that she instructed the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to restore travel across the Duwamish by repairing the high bridge. She also directed SDOT to continue early design work for an eventual replacement of the bridge. Watch the Mayor's announcement on YouTube.    

We are now performing the final repairs on the bridge and the bridge is expected to reopen in September 2022.

West Seattle High-Rise Bridge Alternate Routes Map

Signs are in place to guide people through the new routes over alternative crossings of the Duwamish Waterway.

West Seattle High-Rise Bridge Alternate Routes Map

Read the latest about the West Seattle Bridge on the SDOT Blog

To view SDOT blogs about the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge Program, visit sdotblog.seattle.gov/tag/west-seattle-bridge/

Project materials

Other Resources

Community Engagement

We are committed to working with the community to keep you informed of progress and milestones as we rehabilitate the bridge. We will seek your continued feedback on how to improve mobility and safety for West Seattle, as well as the South Park and Georgetown neighborhoods. Thank you to everyone who has helped us make this project better with your ongoing engagement. 

Learn more, get involved, and tell us what you think: 

Transportation

Greg Spotts, Director
Address: 700 5th Ave, Suite 3800, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34996, Seattle, WA, 98124-4996
Phone: (206) 684-7623
684-Road@seattle.gov

Newsletter Updates

Subscribe

Sign up for the latest updates from Transportation

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is on a mission to deliver a transportation system that provides safe and affordable access to places and opportunities for everyone as we work to achieve our vision of Seattle as a thriving, equitable community powered by dependable transportation.