Update (January 3, 2022)
Our crew of bridge engineers and technical experts have been in the bridge every day since the bridge was damaged during last week’s storm. Click here for a detailed update on the repairs we’ve completed so far.
In addition to engineers and technical experts working to repair the bridge, we also have a team continuing to address the impact the closure has on people who bike, walk and roll. We’ve published a new blog post here with additional details about enhancements to the detour route.
Summary:
- Travel resources exist for people traveling around Duwamish Valley communities and to and from West Seattle while the Spokane St Swing Bridge is closed.
- Bridge closures are a real challenge, and we appreciate your patience as we develop a repair plan to keep the low bridge safe for use.
- Use these links to jump to recommendations on how to get around during the closure.
- Over the past 3 years, we’ve completed dozens of improvements through the Reconnect West Seattle program to help people biking, walking, and rolling travel safely in this area.
This blog shares a number of resources to help you get along while the low bridge is under repair. Should the closure extend much beyond two weeks, we’ll consider other options for enhancing travel without a car.
Riding the bus
The bus provides a reliable option to get to many destinations on both sides of the Duwamish Waterway. Buses travel via the high bridge and can be used by people walking, riding conventional bikes, and in wheelchairs. Buses are the fastest way to get across the Duwamish Waterway without driving.
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.
Biking the detour route via the 1st Ave S Bridge
We have established a detour route for people biking via the 1st Ave S Bridge. We have been working this week to clear recent windstorm debris from the route, install detour route signs, and review the asphalt condition to see if spot improvements can be made to support riders.
Please continue to be aware of your surroundings and vehicles traveling in the area, including driveways and cross-streets along the route.
This is a long detour and creating redundancies in our bike network is important. We are in the process of launching the E Marginal Way Corridor Improvement Project which will upgrade the current bike lanes for more separation from people driving. We are also in the process of planning a new connection from Georgetown to Downtown, among other things. When complete, not only will there be more connections, but when the right-of-way is closed for upgrades or repairs, it will make biking around closures easier.
Detour route map:
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 need to be aware of the 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.
Access to Terminal 5 remains via the West Seattle Bridge (high bridge) heading westbound, taking the SW Spokane St exit, turning onto Chelan Ave SW, and continuing left into T5, as shown in the map below.
Reconnect West Seattle program improvements
During the West Seattle Bridge closure, we completed more than 300 traffic mitigation projects to reduce the effects of detour traffic in South Park, Georgetown, Highland Park, and throughout West Seattle. A number enhanced biking and walking.
Community feedback guided the creation of the Reconnect West Seattle Implementation Plan of investments for neighborhood mitigation projects, bike projects, freight projects, and projects/services to support mobility. You can check out a map of the many completed projects on our website. Thank you to everyone who participated in realizing this major investment in safety and mobility.
Thank you again for your patience as we work to repair and reopen the Spokane St Swing Bridge as quickly as possible.
Please stay tuned for additional updates as they become available, via @SDOTTraffic on Twitter, the SDOT Blog, or sign up for email updates. Thank you.