The contractor painting the Ballard Bridge for the Seattle Department of Transportation is closing the northbound lane of the Ballard Bridge every weekday through the week of December 12 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. After that, the contractor will close this lane only occasionally until the end of January. Once the painting is done on the east side of the bridge, the contractor will switch to the west side.

The sidewalks on the eastern side of the bridge are also closed daily, and opened as much as possible for weekday evenings and weekend. There are times when this will not be possible.

When the sidewalk on the east side of the bridge is closed, pedestrians may use the sidewalk on the west side of the bridge. Northbound bicyclists are detoured to the Fremont Bridge or the Ballard Locks because the bridge sidewalks are not wide enough for two-way bicycle traffic. Southbound bicyclists may continue to use the sidewalk on the west side of the bridge.

At some point during the project there will be full bridge closures on weekends. These closures will be limited to 3 to 6 a.m. Saturdays and 12:00 midnight to 6 a.m. Sundays. Metro transit service will not be provided during these hours.

There will be a maximum of four such weekend closures. These closures are not yet scheduled.

For more information or to sign up for the project updates, visit the project website at: http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/bridgepainting_current.htm

Original article:

As part of SDOT’s annual painting program, a contractor for the Seattle Department of Transportation will begin painting the “bascule” portion of the Ballard Bridge this week, causing lane closures and detours for its travelers.

The contractor will work alternately on each side of the bridge for up to six weeks at a time until the project is completed by February 2012.

As work progresses to various parts of the bridge, occasional lane closures will be required. These traffic changes will be announced as the time approaches and the work is scheduled.

Beginning along the east side of the bridge, the contractor will close the east sidewalk and one northbound lane of traffic every day for up to six weeks.

The contractor will close the west sidewalk and one southbound lane of traffic every day for up to six weeks when work moves to the west side of the bridge. However, painting work will not happen on both sides of the bridge at the same time.

During the full closures, motor vehicles may use the Fremont Bridge.

Bicyclists may also use the Fremont Bridge or they may cross the ship canal at the Ballard Locks.

At least one sidewalk will remain open except during the nighttime total closures.
 
The bascule bridge painting is part of SDOT’s annual painting program for the city’s 20 structural steel bridges. The approached at each end of the bridge were painted last year.  

The painting will provide for enhanced aesthetic appeal as well as protect the steel bridge elements for an additional 18 years against corrosion and other weather deterioration. 
Please visit the project's website for updates and detour maps.