Fremont Bridge work nears end

All four lanes of the historic Fremont Bridge have reopened for weekday travel as the city's $42 million reconstruction project winds down to its last phase.

The "Waiting for the Interurban" statue will be moved back into place near the north end of the bridge by the middle of next week, said Gregg Hirakawa, spokesman for the Seattle Department of Transportation. The Fremont icon is currently standing a block east, at the History House of Greater Seattle.

Work began in September 2005 to reconstruct the approaches, decks and railings of the low-level drawbridge, which was built in 1917. The city also has changed signals and traffic patterns on nearby streets.

Construction-related width restrictions have been removed, so trucks and buses may cross the bridge again.

However, King County Metro Transit won't switch its bus routes back onto the Fremont Bridge until June 2, as part of a service change countywide.

The bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic from 9 p.m. Thursday until 6 a.m. Friday, though pedestrians and bicyclists may still cross. Contractors will work on expansion joints and on a temporary winch system to be used in mechanical and electrical repairs later this year.

That work will require some more overnight traffic closures, and as many as five weekend traffic closures, including bike and pedestrian closures, through next spring. During the overnight closures, a shuttle service will be provided across the Lake Washington Ship Canal at the Ballard Bridge, Hirakawa said.

A celebration is planned June 2 on both sides of the Fremont Bridge, featuring live music, trolls, a dancing dragon and an inflatable obstacle course for children.

Mike Lindblom: 515-5631 or mlindblom@seattletimes.com