CLOSURE OVER: 1st Avenue South Bridge fully open again

1:52 PM: After a two-day extension of the repair period, tonight’s the night that the Washington State Department of Transportation said it expected to reopen the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge. So rather than waiting to see if it happens, we asked WSDOT spokesperson RB McKeon if things were still on schedule (particularly given today’s snow). Yes, McKeon replied, saying “we are still on track to reopen the First Avenue S bridge by 11:59 pm tonight.” While all lanes are expected to be open after this first phase of repairing damaged steel plates, WSDOT has said the speed limit across the NB bridge will remain at 25 mph while they get ready to replace some of those plates sometime next month. We’ll update this story when the bridge reopens.

3:43 PM: And just in from WSDOT: “All lanes on the northbound State Route 99 First Avenue South Bridge have reopened with a reduced speed limit of 25 mph after five days of emergency repairs. On-ramps to northbound SR 509 and SR 99 also have reopened in the area.”

P.S. No date yet for the April repair closure.

4 Replies to "CLOSURE OVER: 1st Avenue South Bridge fully open again"

  • K March 13, 2026 (4:15 pm)

    Just drove over it!  Wide open, but the 25mph signs are subtle and not being followed.  The right (HOV) lane is full of slush still.  Take your time, folks!

    • foop March 14, 2026 (6:47 pm)

      I laughed when I read 25 mph. Not a soul in Seattle will obey that. They don’t even respect it in our neighborhoods.

  • David Schroeder March 13, 2026 (5:26 pm)

    David Schroeder (dschroeder007@yahoo.com) is SR 99 bridge open now? If so, for how long. Thanks

    • WSB March 13, 2026 (6:26 pm)

      Yes, as reported above, it’s open. The next planned closure is sometime in April, but the state has not announced a date yet.

Sorry, comment time is over.