New SR 520 Bridge opens to westbound traffic

SEATTLE — The world’s longest floating bridge, the SR 520 Bridge, opened to westbound traffic Monday morning.

The old bridge was closed over the weekend in preparation for the new bridge’s opening, but is back open for eastbound traffic.

All lanes and ramps of the old and new SR 520 floating bridges will be closed between 92nd Ave NE and Montlake Boulevard the weekend of April 22-25.

If the weather is good, the new bridge will open to eastbound traffic early on the morning of Monday, April 25.

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The old bridge will then be permanently closed to traffic.

More than a decade of planning and five years of construction went into the completion of the bridge.

The new bridge is nearly twice as wide as the old one. It has a shoulder, lit bicycle and pedestrian path and will better withstand high wind and waves because it is taller.

A grand opening celebration was held two weeks ago.

Cox Media Group