Around mid-morning today, a large marine vessel is scheduled to depart Lake Union and move through the Ship Canal to Shilshole Bay. First the Fremont Bridge and then the Ballard Bridge will close to vehicle traffic while opening for the ship’s passage through the waterway. Given that vessel speed is determined by weather conditions, other marine traffic and safety factors, timing cannot be precise. That said, the anticipated vessel opening schedule is set for 9:45 a.m. at the Fremont Bridge and 10:15 a.m. at the Ballard Bridge.

Each of these closures to vehicles will last between 10 and 15 minutes, however traffic could become very congested on all streets surrounding both bridges on both sides of the canal.
Motorists should allow for delays or consider avoiding the general area and taking alternate routes between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.

Federal Law gives marine vessels the right-of-way over vehicular traffic. The city of Seattle must apply to the U.S. Coast Guard for exceptions to that rule. The Coast Guard permit that allows us to have a movable bridge across the Ship Canal, a navigable waterway, states that the city must open the bridge for any vessel that makes a request for an opening.