Fremont Bridge

What to know

The Fremont Bridge is a double-leaf bascule drawbridge that spans the Lake Washington Ship Canal, serving as a vital link between the Fremont and Queen Anne neighborhoods. Opened on July 4, 1917, the bridge has evolved from being the sole link across the Fremont Cut for 15 years into a critical piece of urban infrastructure. Its architecture is designed to allow marine traffic to pass through the canal, with the bridge deck sitting just 30 feet above the water. As one of the busiest bascule bridges in the world, the Fremont Bridge opens an average of 35 times a day. Each typical opening lasts about 4 minutes from the time street traffic stops until the bridge resumes. This high frequency of movement makes it a dynamic element of the city's transportation network, facilitating the movement of both ships and marine vessels up and the canal. For pedestrians and cyclists, the bridge provides sidewalks on both sides of the bridge structure and four general traffic lanes. Since October 2012, the Seattle open data portal has tracked bicycle and scooter counts on the bridge, highlighting its importance as a non-motorized transit corridor. The bridge continues to operate under specific guidelines, with openings occurring on request between 7 AM and 11 PM, and by appointment only overnight from 11 PM to 7 AM.

Visitor tips

• Try to visit during non-peak commute hours to avoid the traffic congestion that occurs during marine openings.
• Wait for a bridge opening to experience the mechanical process of the bascule lift.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes as you'll be crossing between the Fremont and Queen Anne neighborhoods.

Nearby context

The Fremont Bridge connects the eclectic Fremont neighborhood, known for its public art and quirky shorelines, to the Queen Anne neighborhood on the opposite side of the Lake Washington Ship Canal.