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Ballard Bridge weekend closures, upgrades resume this spring

by on April 3, 2025
Crews pour new concrete around an expansion joint on the Ballard Bridges during a bridge closure last fall. Photo: SDOT

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Click here to read this blog post in English.

This blog post is available in multiple languages. Use the links below to visit these translated versions:

At a glance:

  • We’re closing the Ballard Bridge on select weekends this spring to complete important bridge maintenance and preservation work.
  • If you drive, you should take the Aurora Bridge to avoid congestion on the Fremont Bridge.
  • The first weekend closure is scheduled for April 25-28.
    • Friday, April 25: Lane closures start at 7 PM, and the bridge will fully close at 10 PM.
    • Monday, April 28: The bridge will reopen by 5 AM.
  • Future closures: We’ve scheduled additional closures on these dates:
    • May 9-12
    • May 30-June 2
    • June 6-9
    • We also have backup dates set for June 13-16 and July 18-21, if needed.
  • We’ll confirm these additional closure dates in advance as we complete our plans.
  • During the closures, we’ll also work on the Leary Way Bridge (just north of the Ballard Bridge).
  • Learn more in this blog post about what you can expect and how to get around while the Ballard Bridge is closed.
  • Sign up for email updates and visit the project webpage to get the latest details from our team.

We need to close the Ballard Bridge over several weekends this spring to finish work that was delayed because of rain last fall. We need the full closures to make sure we can work safely and efficiently on the Ballard Bridge and nearby Leary Way Bridge. This work is part of the 15th Ave W/NW & Ballard Bridge Paving & Safety Project.

While these closures are inconvenient to travelers like you, we appreciate your patience and understanding. We’ll keep the bridge open for you to walk, bike, scoot, or roll except when it would be unsafe.

Ballard Bridge weekend closure details

What to expect in April

  • The first weekend closure is scheduled for April 25-28.
    • Friday, April 25: Lane closures start at 7 PM, and the bridge will fully close at 10 PM.
    • Monday, April 28: The bridge will reopen by 5 AM.

What to expect later this spring

  • We’ve scheduled additional weekend closures on these dates:
    • May 9-12
    • May 30-June 2
    • June 6-9
    • We also have backup dates of June 13-16 and July 18-21, if needed.
  • We’ll confirm these additional closure dates in advance as we complete our plans.
  • The timing of each closure will be the same, from Friday evening through Monday morning.

How to stay informed

  • Sign up here to receive our email updates so you have the latest construction information.
  • We’ll confirm the plan for each closure with a mid-week update, and send a final update on Friday to confirm whether the closure will happen as planned, or if it has been cancelled.

Please note: These dates and times may change due to weather conditions, crew and materials availability, or other circumstances.

Getting around during the closure

People walking and riding bikes

  • You can walk or bike across the Ballard Bridge on the sidewalk while it’s closed to drivers.
  • You may be asked to walk your bike for safety reasons.
  • You may also be detoured to a different side of the bridge for safety reasons.

Drivers and freight

  • If you are driving, please use the Aurora Bridge (SR 99) as the most reliable detour route.
  • You are recommended to only use the Fremont Bridge if you’re traveling to Fremont or Westlake, due to that bridge’s limited capacity.
  • You may see detour signs around the Ballard Bridge to help guide you to alternate travel routes during the closures. Please detour to other routes before you reach the Ballard Bridge.

Bus riders

  • You should expect longer bus trips because buses that normally use the Ballard Bridge may be rerouted to the Fremont Bridge.
  • Please be aware that some bus stops near the Ballard Bridge may be temporarily relocated to support the closures.
  • You can stay informed about transit service in the area by following King County Metro’s service advisories and signing up for transit alerts.

Boaters

  • If you’re traveling by boat, you can continue to travel under the Ballard Bridge.
  • Please be aware of your surroundings to ensure everyone’s safety while traveling by boat.

Closure map

A map graphic showing the location where the Ballard Bridge will be closed from Friday evenings to Monday mornings, shown in orange across a body of water. A green detour route on the Aurora Bridge is shown for people who drive. Construction and lane closures by the Route 40 project near the Fremont Bridge are shown in blue.
Map of the Ballard Bridge closure area over certain weekends this spring. Graphic: SDOT

Travel resources for you

While the bridge is closed, consider the options listed below to get around. You can also shop local – Ballard businesses are open during construction.

Here are a few travel options:

Coordinating with other construction projects

We are working together across several construction projects in the area to help you get around and reduce travel impacts as much as possible.

We encourage you to visit these project web pages for more details:

Stay informed

Filed Under: Biking, Busses, Freight, Funding & Levies, Move Seattle, Pedestrians, SDOT, Traffic and Construction, Transit, Travel Advisory Tagged With: , , , , , , ,