UPDATE: West Seattle low bridge reopens after ‘mechanical issues’ fixed (added: what those issues were)

5:20 PM: Thanks for the tip. SDOT confirms the West Seattle low bridge is currently closed to car/truck traffic because of “mechanical issues.” No ETA yet for a fix. (The live camera view suggests people bicycling or walking are able to use it, though.)

6:40 PM: SDOT says the bridge has “resumed normal operation.”

ADDED: We asked SDOT what the issues were. Spokesperson Ethan Bergerson replied, “The issue was related to the barrier gates and tail lock on the east side of the bridge. During the closing process, a fault code triggered an automatic stoppage of bridge operations. The on-call electrician responded and was able to diagnose the issue and reset the system, allowing the bridge to return to normal operations.”

Alf March 12, 2026 (6:11 pm)

Our transportation infrastructure is falling apart

Jim March 12, 2026 (6:31 pm)

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No matter how much money they spend!

Erik March 12, 2026 (8:45 pm)

Was this fix related to the traffic light being on for the past week straight?

WSB March 12, 2026 (8:56 pm)

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No idea until I am able to ask SDOT tomorrow. The 1st Av. bridge situation had a low-bridge update on my list anyway. website hasn’t updated since last year
https://www.seattle.gov/transportation/projects-and-programs/programs/bridges-stairs-and-other-structures/bridges/west-seattle-bridge-program/spokane-st-swing-bridge-improvement-projects
pelicans March 13, 2026 (2:11 am)

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The yellow swing bridge traffic light you see coming eastbound from Admiral and the other one on the way to the Chelan intersection have been completely unreliable for the last couple of months. I take the low bridge to work and if I’m running ahead of time, will chance it. Most of the time the bridge is open to auto traffic. Checking the SDOT camera image of the bridge beforehand does no good because it’s been frozen on a night picture for several weeks, as of Tuesday evening. I keep forgetting to enter these issues on Find It Fix It…
- WSB March 13, 2026 (2:36 am)
  
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  We swapped out that image a couple days ago and use one every morning that works now.
  - pelicans March 13, 2026 (6:24 am)
    
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    Thanks, T.R. Your photo looks current, but the WSB SDOT camera link (and the one on my phone) are still showing the old pic.

Odd son March 12, 2026 (8:52 pm)

Maybe the just passed 9.9% tax will fix it in 2027..

Bridge sitter March 12, 2026 (9:27 pm)

Is there a way to tell if the bridge is stuck when you’re sitting in the traffic line? It’d be nice if they could flash a light or something from the tower so you know whether it’s worth waiting for the bridge to reopen. Tonight, after sitting there a few moments it occurred to me to check the West Seattle blog and of course you had the answer.

bolo March 13, 2026 (12:43 am)

That heavy rolling vehicle barrier gate near the top (westbound) has been problematical ever since that inattentive impatient vehicle driver obliterated it last year.