Ballard Bridge to close this weekend for scheduled maintenance

Meghan Walker Ballard

The Ballard Bridge will close this weekend as part of the ongoing maintenance project to make repairs on the 107-year-old bridge.

This is the second-to-last closure the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has planned—it will also be closed next weekend, Oct. 18-21. SDOT cancelled last weekend’s planned closure.

The closure will begin with lane closures starting at 7 p.m., with the full bridge closing at 10 p.m. tonight (Friday, Oct. 11). The bridge will remain closed until Monday, Oct. 14 at 5 a.m.

SDOT says this will be a “challenging” weekend to drive in Seattle—they’re urging drivers to take the Aurora Bridge to travel south across the Ship Canal because they say to expect heavy congestion on the Fremont Bridge.

The bridge will be open to people walking and biking, but SDOT says to follow directions from crews on-site. Buses will be detoured to the Fremont Bridge. Boat traffic will not be affected by this closure.

Construction on 15th Ave NW 

Construction continues on 15th Ave NW as crews upgrade ADA accessible ramps, rebuild sidewalk corners, install upgraded traffic signals and cameras, improve storm drainage, and repair the sidewalk and roadway in select areas. Work is happening at NW Market St, NW 54th, NW 52nd, and NW 51 Streets.

SDOT says crews recently installed new storm drain infrastructure at W Emerson St and completed asphalt grinding. They will return to W Emerson St to pave the road overnight on October 14 from 7 p.m.- 5 a.m. 

SDOT says to expect the following:

  • Construction is typically scheduled Mondays – Fridays from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. The bulk of the overnight work will be from 7 p.m.– 5 a.m. 
  • Overnight work is noisy but within allowable noise levels. You may hear loud humming, construction vehicle horns, and a sound like a big vacuum. You may also feel mild vibrations.
  • Paving dates may change based on weather conditions, crew and materials availability, or other circumstances. You may also smell odors associated with asphalt paving.
  • We will close driving lanes on 15th Ave NW near work areas. There will always be at least one lane open in each direction. The turn lanes will remain open at intersections. 
  • We will close the sidewalk in work areas. There will be detour signs in place to direct you around construction.  
  • We will close streets to thru traffic as needed between 17th Ave NW and 14th Ave NW. You will still be able to walk, roll, bike, or drive to businesses and homes on these streets.  
  • We will temporarily move the D Line bus stops at 15th Ave NW and NW Market St. Please see bus stops for new locations and/or sign up for transit alerts.  
  • We will temporarily change parking in some areas for construction staging and traffic control near work sites. 

Photo: SDOT