Skip to main content

One of the true tests of the Pacific Northwest residents is whether they can navigate the sometimes confusing Puget Sound bridge schedules. 

With this handy guide, Adam’s Moving Service has a bit of information on how to navigate the bridge schedules, particularly while you’re moving and managing moving labor help. Let’s get started!

 

Information About the Puget Sound Bridges

The Washington State Department of Transportation operates 17 moveable bridges on state routes. On these bridges, marine traffic has the right-of-way, so it’s important to know how to navigate them.

Between May 1 to August 31, drawbridge openings for marine traffic are restricted on weekdays between 7am. and 9am and between 3:30pm and 6:30pm. Bridge openings are limited to the hour and half-hour between 12:30pm and 3:30pm and from 6 to 6:30pm.

 

For those moving September 1, 2021, through April 30, 2022, note that the drawbridges are restricted on weekdays for the majority of the day (between 7am-10am, and again 3:30pm-7pm), but the bridge may be open on weekends and federal holidays.

Bridges will open on request between 7am and 11pm. From 11pm to 7am, they open by appointment only, so if you’re moving to any of the islands in the Puget Sound, then you may want to navigate accordingly.

On average, a bridge opening, from the time street traffic stops to the time it resumes, lasts about 4 minutes. 

For more information on the latest bridge schedules, check out Washington State’s Department of Transportation website.

 

Information About Specific Puget Sound Bridges


The Fremont Bridge, which connects Fremont Avenue North and 4th Avenue North, opens an average of 35 times per day, and is one of the busiest drawbridges in the United States. Luckily, to keep traffic moving, most water traffic is blocked during rush hour.

The Ballard Bridge connects 15th Ave NW between Ballard and Interbay. Even though it was built back in 1917, the Ballard Bridge is still in excellent working condition. The Ballard Bridge remains down from 7-9am and 4-6pm to allow traffic to keep moving.

The First Avenue South Bridge takes State Route 99 over the Duwamish River. The only times the First Avenue South Bridge opens between 6-9am and 3-6pm are when a vessel of 5,000 gross tons or more is coming through, or for a tugboat going upstream to get a vessel of 5,000 gross tons or more. 

 

Plan Ahead

 

To successfully navigate the many Puget Sound bridges while you’re moving around Seattle, always keep an eye on the Seattle Department of Transportation website to ensure there are no closures or delays. 

Once you’ve lived in the Seattle area for a while, you’ll be a total professional at knowing how to navigate the bridges and their schedules. All you’ll need next is moving labor help for the big transition!

 

Adam’s Moving Service Provides Moving Labor Help


Adam’s Moving Service has been Seattle’s local furniture mover for over 10 years. We know Seattle and we know moving. We’re Seattle’s best choice for Kirkland moving company, and we would love to assist you in your next move, however big or small it might be. If you need help moving furniture, call Adam’s today at 206-251-1725.