EVERETT June 11: Yet another major Everett roadway is set to fully close later this summer for a bridge replacement – this time, Mukilteo Blvd. The 78-year-old Edgewater Bridge already has weight restrictions and is vulnerable to earthquake failure. The closure date has not been set yet but is targeted near the end of this summer. The nearly 100-year-old northbound SR 529 Snohomish River Bridge is also closed for thorough upgrades until October, and the Edgewater Bridge closure will overlap for perhaps a month.
The road closure will be for nearly a year in length, meaning the 6,000 daily drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians will need to use alternate routes between Everett and Mukilteo. Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin said, “The Edgewater Bridge is an essential connection between Everett and Mukilteo, a roadway many of our residents, visitors and workforce rely upon daily, so I’m very glad the replacement will start soon. I want to thank Representative Rick Larsen for being a tireless advocate for the infrastructure investments Everett needs to ensure our resiliency, create more jobs and keep people and our economy moving.”
The price tag of the bridge replacement over the steep ravine is about $34 million, with $28 million from federal grants and the remainder from local funding.
The Edgewater Bridge is one of three major bridges along Mukilteo Blvd within the city limits of Everett. The Maple Heights Bridge underwent seismic upgrades in 2020, but the Merrill and Ring Creek Bridge is also vulnerable to failure in the event of a significant earthquake and is planned to be replaced sometime in the future.
During the year-long bridge construction that included community design input, a part of Edgewater Park will provide construction staging. Once the new bridge is completed and Mukilteo Blvd is reopened, the park will be renovated.
“The new bridge is a long-term investment in our transportation system and will provide a safe connection between our communities for years to come. We know this project will be an inconvenience for residents of our region, but rest-assured that we are taking every step possible to keep the project moving forward and on schedule,” Director of Everett Public Works Ryan Sass said.
Year-long detours around the Mukilteo Blvd Edgewater Bridge closure will include Highways 525 and 526, Merrill Creek Parkway, and Glenwood Avenue. City and school bus routes will also be impacted. Watch for announcements on these adjustments when more information is available.
