Montlake Bridge reopens but weekend closures ahead

The Montlake Bridge reopened early Friday after getting a facelift that closed it to all traffic for 26 days.

During the first phase of the project to extend the life of the bridge constructed in 1998, crews replaced two expansion joints and all the panels on the bridge’s metal grid.

The panels were last replaced more than 20 years ago.

Though the bridge has reopened, there is more work to be done and that means more closures to come. However, those closures will happen over weekends.

During the second phase of the project, crews will repair and replace the pieces that open and close the bridge.

Phase 2 of the project is slated to begin Sept. 10 and includes as many as five weekend-long closures, listed below, to all vehicles and pedestrians. During those weekends, the bridge will be in the raised position, restricting access to anyone walking, cycling or driving.

• Sept. 10-13
• Oct. 8-11
• Oct. 22-25
• Oct. 29 - Nov. 1
• Nov. 19 – 22
  

WSDOT said the dates were selected with the Washington Huskies football schedule in mind.

The closures will begin at 11 p.m. on Friday and end at 5 a.m. the following Monday.

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