Spokane St Swing Bridge (low bridge) closing May 16-17 to people driving
Starting Saturday, May 16 and continuing through Sunday, May 17, 2026, the South Spokane Swing Bridge (also called The Low Bridge) will be closed to all vehicle traffic for the weekend. However, people on bicycles and walking will still be able to use the bridge, with possible delays associated with bridge openings for boat passage and as part of the maintenance work. During this time, crews will replace the tail lock cylinder, motor and hydraulic pump.
What you need to know:
- The bridge was built in 1991 and serves as a crucial link across the West Duwamish Waterway, especially for people walking, rolling, and biking.
- Planning, design, and construction for the initial phase of the Spokane St Swing Bridge Rehabilitation Program took place from 2020 to 2022.
- The work taking place May 2026 will be to replace the motor, pump, and tail lock cylinder on the west side of the bridge.
- Travel resources exist for people traveling around Duwamish Valley communities and to and from West Seattle while the Spokane St Swing Bridge is closed.
- Use these links to view recommendations on how to get around during the closure.
Work on this project, which includes other ongoing maintenance, is expected to continue throughout 2026.
Picture of the tail lock shaft on the approach-bridge side that is extended into the swing span to lock the structure together.
Here are some options to get around during the closure:
Riding the bus
The bus provides a reliable option to get to many destinations on both sides of the Duwamish Waterway without driving. Buses travel via the high bridge and can be used by people walking, riding conventional bikes, and in wheelchairs.
We encourage you to visit King County Metro’s trip planner page to find the latest bus route and schedule information for your trip.
Riding the Water Taxi
King County operates the West Seattle Water Taxi, which provides direct service from West Seattle to downtown Seattle, with full service 7 days per week through the winter, except for select holidays. Their large vessels can store up to 26 bikes at a time.
Driving or carpooling on the West Seattle Bridge (high bridge)
The high bridge remains open to drivers and offers a direct connection for many travelers to reach their destinations. There are currently no restrictions on vehicle access. This bridge is not accessible to pedestrians or people biking. Signs are posted in various locations stating this.
Freight and business access to Harbor Island and Terminal 5
Truck drivers, Port workers, and other people who need to access Harbor Island and Terminal 5 are still able to do so, though they need to be aware of the detour route before making their trip. Access to Harbor Island remains available from the east via SW Spokane St, before reaching the Spokane St Swing Bridge, as shown in the map below. For those traveling to Terminal 5 from the east, please use alternate routes, such as the West Seattle high bridge.
 The map above shows different routes to enter Harbor Island and Terminal 5 during the low bridge closure.
 The map above shows different routes to exit Harbor Island and Terminal 5 during the low bridge closure.
We appreciate your patience as we complete this critical work to keep the bridge reliably operating today and in the future. To stay informed about the project, sign up to receive project updates.
What’s Next
We will keep fixing another part of the bridge early in 2026 to make sure it keeps working well. During this year, additional short-term closures will be required as part of our ongoing preventative maintenance work on this bridge. That means that in the future, the low bridge will be closed again to people walking, biking, rolling, and driving.
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