EVERETT, DEC. 24: Weather and equipment complications have again delayed the completion of the Edgewater Bridge, this time until April, the City of Everett announced last week.
The bridge, which connects Everett and Mukilteo, was initially projected to be completed in the fall of 2025. In May, the project was extended again after large concrete and timber pieces were found buried in the ravine, slowing the ability to drill safely.
Despite the additional extensions, the city said that significant progress has been made. All the substructure has been constructed, abutments on both sides of the bridge have been poured, and all the girders, 18 in total, have been placed.
However, high winds, flooding, and equipment failure have delayed the opening of the bridge.
“The contractor has experienced several notable challenges that have resulted in delays in the critical path toward roadway opening, including continued issues resulting from working on a slope with soft soils subject to destabilization,” a press release from the city said.
An example is an atmospheric river that swept through the North Sound in October. The rain clogged and overflowed storm drains west of the bridge, causing it to destabilize the project area and damage project infrastructure, the release said.
In addition to the weather, two cranes used to perform heavy lifting, and the placement of materials broke down. The discovery of and abatement of abandoned asbestos-containing material, multiple delays on required inspections by the State, and continued slope stabilization efforts on the Everett side also contributed to delays.
“Though the contractor has made numerous efforts to recover workdays by implementing parallel tasks, such as working on drainage, slope stability and retaining walls simultaneously, the contractor will be unable to meet the expected first quarter 2026 date for reopening Mukilteo Boulevard to traffic…,” the release said.
The ongoing closure has impacted residents living near the bridge, with commutes of three minutes turning into 30, and businesses struggling with fewer visitors, the Herald reported.
The Edgewater Bridge carries W Mukilteo Blvd. across Edgewater Creek and straddles the boundary between Everett and Mukilteo. It was initially built 78 years ago, and roughly 6,000 vehicles would cross the bridge daily.
Although the bridge was safe for daily use, it was found to be vulnerable to failure in the event of an earthquake.
The bridge’s new features will include 12-foot travel lanes in each direction, 6.5-foot sidewalks on each side of the bridge and 5-foot bike lanes between the sidewalk and the road.
Once bridge construction is complete, upgrades to Edgewater Park will begin.
The bridge replacement is still budgeted to cost $34 million, with $28 million coming from federal grant funding.
