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With the West Seattle Bridge reopened to traffic and high bridge repairs complete, we will be discontinuing these weekly updates.
In the future, this email list will be used to provide periodic updates about the Spokane St Swing Bridge (low bridge) projects, remaining Reconnect West Seattle projects, and larger projects that may be of interest to the West Seattle and Duwamish Valley communities.
Take a quick survey to give feedback on the weekly West Seattle Bridge email.
News about the week ahead for the West Seattle Bridge Program.
 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.
Thanks to all who helped reunite West Seattle with the rest of the city!
The West Seattle Bridge has been open to travelers for nearly 3 weeks, and people are transitioning back to their pre-closure travel patterns. Nearly 2/3 of pre-closure bridge travelers have returned to the high bridge over the past few weeks.
 People driving on the West Seattle Bridge again after it reopened last month.
Traffic on the Spokane St Swing Bridge (low bridge), which is now open for everyone 24/7, has decreased by 30%, improving the flow of goods in and out of Seattle’s busy port. Traffic volumes on West Marginal Way SW, which were 250% higher than pre-closure volumes, have decreased dramatically. Elsewhere on the former detour routes – such as East Marginal Way S and 1st Ave S – the number of cars on the road has returned to what it was prior to March 2020.
 Traffic on the low bridge, which sits just below the West Seattle Bridge, was down by more than 30% since reopening to all users.
People traveling to and from West Seattle are getting time back in their daily lives as traffic continues to adjust after the bridge reopening.
This decrease in traffic volumes across West Seattle means that people are getting to their destinations in less time. Peak travel times on most former detour routes have decreased significantly and people commuting to downtown from some neighborhoods in West Seattle have seen their travel times cut in half.
While more and more people get back on the bridge for their commutes, we will continue to monitor and inspect it in the months to come. Our first comprehensive inspection following the reopening confirmed that the repairs are doing their job and keeping the bridge strong and stable.
From 1 AM Saturday, October 8, through 5 AM Tuesday, October 11, mariners will have limited access under the low bridge while navigating the Duwamish Waterway. During this time, we will perform single-sided openings of the low bridge, which is when only the west half of the bridge will be able to open for marine vessels.
This change is necessary to allow us to remove and replace one of the bridge’s hydraulic pumps and conduct other routine maintenance. The pump is part of the system that allows the sides of the low bridge to open and close to maritime traffic.
In addition, there will be maritime restrictions on low bridge openings from 11 PM Wednesday, October 12, until 7 AM Thursday, October 13. During this time, the bridge will not open to maritime vessels. This restriction is needed for crews to remove work platforms from the low bridge.
 The Spokane St Swing Bridge (low bridge) swings open so maritime vessels can pass through.
People walking, biking, rolling, taking transit, or driving on the low bridge will not be affected by either of these restrictions to maritime travel.
Starting as soon as Monday, October 10, Seattle Public Utilities contractor crews will begin installing drainage improvements on Sylvan Way SW between SW Orchard St and Delridge Way SW as part of the Longfellow Natural Drainage System (NDS) project.
To perform this work safely and effectively, Sylvan Way SW between Home Depot’s eastern access and SW Orchard St will be temporarily closed to traffic.
This closure is expected to last approximately 4 weeks. The street will be closed to traffic 24 hours a day, with local access allowed to driveways east of the closure on Sylvan Way SW. Signage and flaggers will be on-site to direct traffic.
The eastbound bus stop on Sylvan Way SW near the intersection of SW Orchard St will be closed for the duration of the road closure.
Performing this work is dependent on weather, permitting, and other factors. Therefore, this work may be delayed or cancelled.
As part of the Reconnect West Seattle Program, this weekend we’ll be implementing 6 Vision Zero projects aimed to improve intersection visibility. Work is anticipated on Saturday and Sunday from 7 AM to 3 PM each day. We’ll mostly be working from the parking lane and will maintain traffic in all directions through these intersections. Please anticipate minor delays while traveling through the area.
We’ll be installing paint-and-post curb bulbs at the following locations:
- 8th Ave S and S Rose St
- 8th Ave S and S Southern St
- 7th Ave S and S Donovan St
- 2nd Ave SW and Olson Pl SW
- 35th Ave SW and SW Brandon St
- 8th Ave SW and SW Barton St
Now that the West Seattle Bridge has reopened to traffic, we’ll end our weekly emails on Fridays and instead send you emails at project milestones.
We hope these emails were a good resource for you as we worked to reopen the West Seattle Bridge! Take a quick survey to give feedback on the weekly West Seattle Bridge email.
In the future, if you have transportation-related questions or comments, please direct them to one of the following:
Thank you to the over 1,600 people who participated in our Reconnect West Seattle Follow Up Survey. We are currently analyzing the data and will share the results when complete. This survey will help us understand how people have been traveling around West Seattle, and how the Reconnect West Seattle traffic mitigation, investments, and travel options have supported you and your neighbors during the bridge closure.
Seattle Transportation Plan: The second phase of engagement has begun. During our first phase of engagement, which ran from May to August, we asked about your vision for the future of transportation in Seattle.
Now we need your help to turn those ideas into actions. Visit the Seattle Transportation Plan Online Engagement Hub to get involved. You can also send an email to stp@seattle.gov or call 206-257-2114 with questions, concerns, or comments about the Seattle Transportation Plan.
If you or someone you know wants to talk with us, give feedback, or could benefit from having this information read to them in another language, please call (206) 400-7511.
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