Information from Seattle Department of Transportation

The Spokane St Swing Bridge (also known as the West Seattle Low Bridge) will remain closed to motor vehicles as Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) crews continue to repair damage from a car crash on the evening of September 14. On Sunday, crews completed initial repairs allowing bicycles and pedestrians to use the bridge and enabling ships to request a bridge opening. 

SDOT engineers and maintenance crews are making swift progress on repairs to the bridge. While work is moving forward efficiently, technicians do not expect to be able to reopen the bridge within the next few days and are continuing to develop a more exact timeline.

Cars and trucks should follow the detour route and use the West Seattle High-Rise bridge to travel across the Duwamish Waterway. Harbor Island can still be accessed from the east via S Spokane St coming from the SODO neighborhood.  

The damage occurred around 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 14 when a vehicle drove through the warning gates and onto the bridge while it was swinging open and hit the metal barricade. The barricade prevented the speeding vehicle from driving off the bridge, but the collision severely damaged the mechanical gate, lock mechanism, gate control panel, and sensors that are essential for safe bridge operations. 

SDOT crews have worked throughout the weekend to respond to the situation. Bridge technicians have rewired parts of the control system necessary to open and close the bridge for passing ships and to control the bicycle and pedestrian safety gates. However, the gate for motor vehicles is still inoperable as crews continue the repair effort.  

Pedestrians and bicyclists access to the bridge was restored late Sunday afternoon. People may notice pedestrian signals will say “don’t walk” even when the pedestrian gates are open and the bridge is properly locked in place for land travel. This is due to damaged sensors in the vehicle gate. The engineers are working to correct the signal issue, but rest assured it is safe for bicycles and pedestrians to cross when the pedestrian gates are open and there are no flashing lights or warning bells.