Ballard Bridge Explained

Bridge Name:Ballard Bridge
Other Name:15th Avenue Bridge
Carries:15th Avenue NW
Crosses:Salmon Bay
Locale:Seattle
Maint:Seattle Department of Transportation
Architect:A.H. Dimock
Length:2854feet
Mainspan:218feet
Complete:1917
Heritage:NRHP
Rebuilt:1939
Extra:
Embed:yes
Ballard Bridge
Location:Seattle, Washington
Coordinates:47.6594°N -122.3761°W
Built:1917
Added:July 16, 1982
Mpsub:Historic Bridges/Tunnels in Washington State TR
Refnum:82004231

The Ballard Bridge, also known as the 15th Avenue Bridge, is a double-leaf bascule bridge in Seattle, Washington. It carries 15th Avenue NW over Seattle's Salmon Bay between Ballard to the north and Interbay to the south. The Ballard Bridge follows the Fremont Bridge in the east in the succession of bridges spanning the Lake Washington Ship Canal, which connects Lake Washington in the east to Puget Sound in the west.

Built in 1917, it has an opening span of 218feet and a total length of 2854feet.[1] The approaches of the bridge were originally timber trestles.[2] It also carried a streetcar. In 1939, the timber approach spans of the Ballard Bridge were replaced as a Public Works Administration project. The deck was surfaced with concrete and the rails for the streetcar were removed.[3] In 1982, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.[4]

In recent years bicyclists have complained that improvements are needed to address safety concerns.[5] [6]

In 2024, work began on seismic improvements to the bridge structure, including installing ground anchors and other safety features.[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ballard Bridge . 2009-11-17. Bridges and Roadway Structures . Seattle Department of Transportation .
  2. Web site: historylink.org . Ballard Bridge (Seattle) . April 4, 2017 . March 16, 2022 .
  3. 16 mm. Alaskan Way Viaduct/Reconstruction of the Ballard Bridge. City of Seattle. 1940. January 10, 2020.
  4. News: Paul . Dorpat . A Bridge Loses Track . . Pacific Northwest Magazine . August 12, 2001 . November 17, 2009 .
  5. News: Bicyclists say city ignores safety concerns; Riding with danger every day . Levi . Pulkkinen . Scott . Gutierrez . . 2009-11-17 . 29 July 2008 .
  6. News: April 14, 2006 . Bicyclists face rough ride in region; Cycling club finds gaps in some area bike routes . Phuong . Cat Le . Larry . Lange . . November 17, 2009 .
  7. Web site: 15th Ave W/NW & Ballard Bridge Paving & Safety Project . Seattle Department of Transportation.