Ballard Bridge reopens after 1.5 hour closure

Update 5:15 p.m. The Ballard Bridge has reopened!

Earlier: The bridge closed around 3:40 p.m. due to “malfunctioning bridge gates,” says SDOT. Crews are working to fix the problem, but rush hour is underway and it’s very ugly out there.

The usual alternate routes, i.e. Nickerson to the Fremont Bridge, are showing red on traffic maps. “Traffic going north on 15th is backed up way onto Queen Anne (Dravus),” says Elizabeth on our Facebook page. Metro said to expect delays on bus routes that take the bridge, but it has re-routed 15, 17, 18, 29, RapidRide D Line and 994 to the Fremont Bridge (which is sloooow going).

4:50 #UPDATE Ballard Bridge is closed to traffic right now: https://t.co/Avreipt0Os pic.twitter.com/1O8DwXNWEv

— KING 5 News (@KING5Seattle) April 18, 2016

You can see the small gap in the road (above), and pedestrians are able to cross. SDOT did not offer an estimate on how long it will take to fix.

This guy is turning around because #BallardBridge isn't working and traffic is insane. This is Nickerson pic.twitter.com/HzcQr9V0Rl

— Nick McGurk (@NickKIRO7) April 18, 2016

Take a look at live traffic cameras showing the bridge and traffic nearby.

We’re updating…