EVERETT/MUKILTEO, APRIL 29: After almost 2 years of repairs and detours, the long-awaited reopening of the Edgewater Bridge on April 27 brought more than just traffic relief, it restored a vital connection between people, businesses, and everyday life.
For local business owners, like Jackie Wotipka, the change is immediate. As the owner of Multiple Intelligence Academy, a preschool in Mukilteo, she has seen firsthand how the closure disrupted daily routines for families.
“The reopening of the Edgewater Bridge will have a significant positive impact on our school community.” Over the past year and a half, some families saw their commutes increase from 12 minutes to 40. “This improved accessibility will ease daily stress for families, support more consistent attendance, and strengthen our connection with families in our community,” she said, noting that her mission remains the same: to instill a love of learning in every child who walks through her doors.
Residents also felt the strain. Jesse Nicholes, who lives along Mukilteo Boulevard, describes the daily challenge of balancing work and family during the closure. “I don’t have to drive around anymore – the ferry is 2 minutes away instead of 20,” he said, a simple change that makes a big difference when juggling a job and four kids’ busy schedules.
For others, the reopening restores something less tangible but just as important. Local college student, Jasnoor Aujla, said, “I am excited to take this bridge as it is the perfect escape to the water when I am feeling stressed with schoolwork.” Her words highlight how the bridge reconnects people not just to places, but to moments of rest and reflection.
Opening day felt like a celebration of that reconnection. More than 300 people gathered to mark the occasion, filling the space with conversation, laughter, and a shared sense of relief. Community members lined the bridge, taking in the view and the significance of the moment. After the ribbon cutting, bicyclists rode across together in celebration, as the crowd cheered them on.
That sense of community extended to the details of the event itself. Charlie Zoller, manager of Ivar’s, was on site, serving clam chowder for attendees, adding a familiar, warm, local touch to the celebration.
Local leaders emphasized the bigger picture. Mayor of Everett, Cassie Franklin, and U.S. Representative Rick Larsen from Washington’s 2nd Congressional District were in attendance. Rick Larsen spoke about the bridge as a symbol of unity. Encouraging Mukilteo residents to support Everett businesses and vice versa. “One bridge can bring communities closer together,” Larsen said. Their message was simple but powerful. Franklin also thanked residents for their incredible patience throughout the project.
More than just a roadway, the Edgewater Bridge stands as a reminder that infrastructure shapes how people live, work, and connect. With its reopening, Mukilteo and Everett aren’t just linked by pavement, they’re brought closer together as one community.
