EVERETT – Replacing critical machinery on the State Route 529 Snohomish River Bridge near Everett will close the southbound span this weekend.
The southbound drawbridge on Highway 529 over the Snohomish River is scheduled to be closed to traffic this coming weekend for repairs.
The bridge is set to close from 8 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday between I-5 and the bridge.
The I-5 exit to southbound Highway 529 also will be closed. Drivers who need to reach Smith Island can enter Highway 529 from State Avenue in Marysville or follow a detour route on southbound I-5 to northbound Highway 529.
During the closure, crews working for the state Department of Transportation plan to replace heavy pieces of machinery that operate the southbound lift span. The machinery is showing signs of wear and fatigue, including cracking, after 60 years of hoisting and lowering two counterweights weighing a total of 250 tons. The bridge averages about 600 openings each year.
The drawspan machinery is housed in two towers 80 feet above the southbound lanes. Crews will use a large crane to remove the old machinery in the northern-most tower and lift the new pieces into place.
A second closure of southbound Highway 529 is also planned for the weekend of Sept. 28-29. Northbound Highway 529 is not affected by this work.
Work on the $3.2 million project is expected to be complete in October.
For more information visit the state’s project page here.
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