CLOSURE ALERT: West Seattle low bridge closing June 7-8 weekend (updated)

ORIGINAL WEDNESDAY REPORT: Just in from SDOT, the West Seattle low bridge – aka the Spokane Street Swing Bridge, opened in 1991 – has a two-day closure coming up, affecting all non-maritime users:

To keep the bridge reliably operating, starting June 7 and continuing through June 8, the low bridge will be closed for people driving, biking, rolling, and walking for about two days. During this time, crews will reinstall the remaining refurbished cylinder that was removed from the west pier during the October 2024 low bridge closure. Work on this project is expected to continue throughout 2025.

SDOT’s project page has more details on the work that’s being done. We’re following up to ask exactly what time on June 7 the closure is expected to start.

ADDED FRIDAY: 7 am, per SDOT.

Commuter May 28, 2025 (1:12 pm)

Thanks for the heads up, WSB! That’ll be massively disruptive for non-motorized users since the only alternative for non-motorized users is the 1st Ave bridge. As an example, that almost doubles the trip distance from the ferry terminal to Alaska junction from 5 miles to almost 10 miles. And it’s an extremely dangerous detour through SODO.I’m glad to hear that it’s happening on the weekend to limit disruption for most people, but this will still be a massive disruption for some. Any idea if they’re offering free water taxi rides like they’ve done during past closures? And are there any plans to repeat the temporary cone-protected bike lane on 1st Ave S to make the detour reasonably safe?

My two cents May 28, 2025 (5:58 pm)

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I can cover your cost for the water taxi …
- Commuter May 28, 2025 (8:20 pm)
  
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  Oh, wow. That’s super kind of you! Thankfully I won’t be commuting to work over the weekend and I have an employee sponsored orca anyway. Not everyone is so lucky on both fronts though. Can others reach out and take you up on that offer? How can they contact you? This is the kind of community that makes me proud to live in west Seattle!
  - My two cents May 29, 2025 (4:39 am)
    
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    Just for you … sorry 😢 was trying to help mitigate your situation.

Rooster May 28, 2025 (3:13 pm)

The Water Taxi is a good alternative.

Peter May 28, 2025 (5:45 pm)

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Good, but expensive.

CheeseWS777 May 29, 2025 (6:40 am)

A fully caged pedestrian walkway for the high bridge would b super sweet and so would the veiw for either side… Would never happen though, but fun to imagine i guess

bill May 29, 2025 (8:15 am)

Detouring south on a bike to the 1st Ave Bridge is not dangerous if you are a little bit savvy about choosing intersections with traffic lights to cross the major streets. Along 1st Ave ride the sidewalk. Unfortunately the detour does add about six miles and half an hour to 45 minutes. Here are eastbound and westbound routes: