Correction, May 5, 10:30 a.m.: A previous article stated that the Edgewater Bridge would be open in late fall of this year. This is incorrect. The bridge was expected to open in the fall, but due to early difficulties associated with subsurface work, the bridge is now expected to be completed in early 2026.
EVERETT, MAY 2: The demolition of the 78-year-old Edgewater Bridge is about to begin, marking a major turning point in the project to replace the roadway connecting the cities of Everett and Mukilteo.
Starting Monday, May 5, Everett’s contractor will remove the old bridge, piece by piece, the City of Everett announced in April. The process will start with saw cutting and removing three sections of the bridge deck, followed by dismantling the floor beams and girders. Once those sections are removed, the five bridge spans will be taken out one at a time—an operation that will take several weeks, Kathleen Baxter Public Works communication manager wrote in an email.
The city warns that there will be significant noise while the bridge undergoes these changes. The bridge and surrounding work zones remain closed to the public, and only authorized city staff and contractor personnel may enter the site.
Travelers will continue to be detoured along State Route 525, 526 and Glenwood Avenue/Merrill Creek Parkway.
“We know how important this bridge is to the community, and we are committed to delivering a safe, long-lasting replacement,” Baxter wrote.
History
The bridge, built in 1946, runs across Edgewater Creek and straddles the boundary between Everett and Mukilteo. Roughly 6,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily.
While it was safe to use, the city determined that the crossing was vulnerable to earthquakes, which could result in nearby neighborhoods becoming isolated during a large quake.
The new bridge will have the same number of travel lanes, plus a bicycle lane and wider sidewalks. The project has an estimated budget of $34 million, $28 million from federal grant funding and $6 million in local funds.
The bridge was slated to be completed in late fall of this year, but due to early complications associated with subsurface work, it is now expected to be complete early 2026.
Edgewater Park, which is on the corner of Shore Avenue and Mukilteo Boulevard, will be renovated after the bridge is complete.
