The Ballard Bridge reopened Thursday evening after a temporary closure caused by a heat-related mechanical issue, according to the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).
The bridge closed at about 7:30 p.m. after becoming stuck due to a technical issue. The closure lasted about an hour and a half before the bridge reopened.
After service was restored, SDOT said the high temperatures caused the problem. According to the agency, hot weather can cause the bridge’s steel components to expand, creating issues with the bridge’s opening and closing mechanisms.
After the closure was reported, an SDOT repair team responded to the scene. The team included a lead supervisor, mechanic, and electrician, who assessed the problem and completed the repairs needed to reopen the bridge.
Heat-related bridge issues aren’t new during periods of extreme temperatures. When forecasts call for prolonged heat, SDOT has at times proactively sprayed cool water on the Ballard, Fremont, and University bridges to keep their steel components from overheating and expanding. Those “cooling showers” are intended to reduce the risk of the movable sections becoming stuck, and they can require brief bridge closures while crews are working.
Photo: SDOT