Winds may close Highway 520 bridge tonight

The Highway 520 bridge may be closed tonight if the expected storm brings the winds that are forecast.

The state Department of Transportation said it hopes to get all the Seattle Seahawks traffic across the bridge by 11 p.m. and then begin the closure.

It would remain closed until the storm passes tomorrow morning. The state said an announcement will be made at the end of the game to let fans know whether or not the bridge is open.

"The forecast is pretty clear," said Pat Moylan, director of maintenance for the DOT. "Between midnight and 8 a.m., wind gusts will very likely reach the criteria we use to close the 520 bridge."

The state closes the bridge when sustained winds reach 50 miles an hour for 15 minutes. The Hood Canal Bridge also likely will be closed because of the high winds.

The state has never closed the Tacoma Narrows Bridge for winds, but that bridge will also be monitored and if deemed unsafe it will be closed.

Forecasts call for winds as high as 70 miles per hour in the region this evening and into tomorrow morning.

Whether or not ferries will run depends on the individual routes and ferry captains, who gauge how the boats are handling the rough waters.

For traffic information go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/.