Plan ahead for night closures of SR 305 Agate Pass Bridge

In the timeframe between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Washington State Department of Transportation bridge maintenance crews will work to replace previously damaged elements of the SR 305 Agate Pass Bridge between Suquamish and Bainbridge Island.

Over a series of nights that will stretch three weeks (see below), crews will remove and replace seven damaged overhead steel members that were struck last year by an over-height load. Each steel member provides support and structure to the bridge spanning Agate Passage.

During much of the work, crews will need to use the full width of the bridge, closing the bridge to traffic. Cranes and other heavy equipment will be stationed on the bridge while crews remove the damaged steel members and install new ones.

Knowing how important the bridge is to motorists, businesses and residents, the bridge will open for short timeframes to allow motorists, bicyclist and pedestrians to cross. Bicyclists and pedestrians will be limited to crossing the bridge only during the short periods when it is open to traffic.  Crews will do everything they can to accommodate emergency responders during the closed hours.

The schedule is as shown below. 

Each night Sunday through Thursday (into Friday morning) from Sunday, Dec. 2 to Friday, Dec. 21

• 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. – One-way alternating traffic
• 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. – Bridge closed to traffic
• 11:59 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. – One-way alternating traffic
• 12:15 a.m. to 3 a.m. – Bridge closed bridge to traffic
• 3 a.m. to 3:15 a.m. – One-way alternating traffic
• 3:15 a.m. to 4 a.m. – Bridge closed to traffic
• 4 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. – One-way alternating traffic

While Washington State Ferries service will not be affected, drivers are advised to plan ahead by giving themselves plenty of time to reach the ferry terminal. Ferry users are also encouraged to consider using the Bremerton or Kingston ferries during this time. It is critical that WSDOT complete these repairs in advance of a bridge-painting project that will begin in 2019. Coupled with annual inspection activities in February, this timeframe provided a window of opportunity to make the repairs.

For more information, contact Doug Adamson with the Washington State Department of Transportation at adamsod@wsdot.wa.gov, 360-357-2716.