Applications will open later this month for restaurants and retail struggling during pandemic, on-call medical workers, additional types of vans and shuttles. We’ve also extended weekend all–access hours by 3 hours to 8 a.m.
People seeking lifesaving medical treatment, on-call medical workers, West Seattle restaurants and retail businesses, and people using vans, shuttles or official carpools with a state-issued rideshare license plate can soon apply to SDOT for access to the Spokane St Swing Bridge (low bridge).
This access is on a temporary and limited basis. People must apply, provide their license plate, meet eligibility requirements, and be approved by SDOT before using the low bridge.
These are the new groups eligible for pre-authorized low bridge access:
- West Seattle residents traveling to and from lifesaving medical treatments (authorization from your medical provider required).
- Form available now:
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- Form available now:
- On-call medical workers (traveling to and from an on-call work shift only)
- All West Seattle restaurants and retail businesses (limited to urgent trips to pick-up equipment or supplies)
- Rideshare vehicles (vans, shuttles or official carpools with a state-issued rideshare license plate; this does NOT include Uber/Lyft)
These existing groups are eligible for pre-authorized access:
- International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 19 members for trips when dispatched from the SODO Union Hall to terminals on the west side of the low bridge
- Maritime and industrial businesses proximate to the low bridge (limited to urgent trips to pick-up equipment or supplies or transport key personnel)
- Government vehicles (limited to urgent/unplanned trips and includes City of Seattle, King County, State of Washington, local law enforcement, and other government vehicles)
By the end of April, we will share application forms online for on-call medical workers, businesses, and rideshare to request access to the low bridge. Applications will be processed on a rolling basis.
People driving must register their license plates and receive SDOT approval before using the low bridge. Please remember: unauthorized vehicles will receive a $75 fine for every trip taken across the low bridge during the day.
We are also changing the low bridge restricted hours to allow more access for everyone on weekends! Recent traffic data shows that volumes are low enough to allow additional access. New weekend hours start Saturday, April 10.
The low bridge is currently closed to non-authorized vehicles from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. We are changing the restricted hours to allow everyone to use the low bridge for three additional hours, until 8 a.m. on weekends only.
Starting Saturday, April 10, the low bridge will remain open to everyone until 8 a.m. on weekends. Weekday restrictions will remain the same as before.
We reviewed recent traffic data and volumes are low enough during these times to allow for more access to the bridge. This change goes into effect this weekend, Saturday April 10 and Sunday, April 11.
As a reminder, the low bridge is closed to non-authorized vehicles from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends. During this time, this means:
- No personal vehicles (cars, minivans, carpools, etc.)
- No motorcycles and motor scooters
- No taxis and ride-hail app vehicles, like Uber and Lyft
When the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge (high bridge) closed in March 2020, we restricted access to the low bridge to prevent area gridlock from general detour traffic. Daytime use of the low bridge is restricted to ensure that freight, transit, and emergency response vehicles can travel efficiently to and from West Seattle.
Additional information, including a full list of vehicles that may qualify for access, is available on the low bridge web page. Emergency vehicles, buses and freight trucks do not need to provide their license plates to SDOT.
Low bridge access policy: Our goal has always been to ensure reliable access for emergency vehicles, freight, and transit on the low bridge.
Since automated enforcement began in early 2021, we have monitored traffic volumes on the low bridge and we have taken a hard look at the low bridge access policy, identified goals and objectives, and will continue to adjust the policy as circumstances change.
Health, life, and safety have been at the forefront this past year and we are prioritizing trips that improve patient and provider access to lifesaving medical treatment. We continue to prioritize the movement of emergency vehicles and government vehicles that are responding to urgent situations.
COVID-19 and the West Seattle Bridge closure have affected all people and businesses in West Seattle. Our focus on providing access for restaurants and retail businesses is based on several factors. These sectors have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Through our ongoing outreach efforts, the city is also hearing how the bridge closure, along with COVID-19, have affected businesses, particularly in receiving or transporting supplies.
Most trips on the low bridge (except for emergency vehicles, heavy freight, and transit) are conditional and trip targets (number of trips allowed per month) will be updated based on actual use. We can restrict or revoke access at any time. We will notify people in advance if this is the case. We will reduce or revoke access on the low bridge for many groups in late 2021 before the Port of Seattle’s Terminal 5 re-opens so that the bridge has capacity for increased freight traffic. The high-rise bridge is anticipated to reopen in mid-2022.
For more information:
- Visit our Spokane St Swing Bridge web page.