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Tag: Bridge Construction

  • Every Major Construction Project in Everett Right Now — Late April 2026 Update

    Every Major Construction Project in Everett Right Now — Late April 2026 Update

    Q: What major construction projects are active in Everett, WA right now?
    A: As of late April 2026, Everett’s active construction landscape includes: the Millwright District Phase 2 residential build-out (300+ apartments, LPC West), the Eclipse Mill Riverfront Park two-phase build (City Phase 1 underway July–November 2026), the Lenora Stormwater Treatment Facility (broke ground April 2026, $8.73M), the $113M West Marine View Drive pipeline, and the downtown stadium design process — plus two projects that just wrapped: the $34M Edgewater Bridge and the Port of Everett’s Segment E bulkhead.

    Everett is a construction site right now — and we mean that as a compliment. From waterfront infrastructure to riverfront parks to transit-adjacent housing, more physical transformation is underway in this city simultaneously than at almost any other point in its history. Here’s where every major project stands as of late April 2026.

    Just Completed

    Edgewater Bridge — $34M Seismic Replacement (Opened April 28, 2026)

    The most visible construction closure in Everett this year ended this week. The new Edgewater Bridge opened to vehicle traffic on April 28, concluding an 18-month replacement of the 1946 span connecting Everett and Mukilteo on SR-529. Contractor: Granite Construction Company ($25.4M contract). Total budget: $34M ($28M federal grants, $6M local). The replacement is 366 feet, seismically sound, and features 6.5-foot sidewalks and 5-foot bike lanes on both sides — a genuine upgrade in every dimension. Sidewalk and bike lane finishing work continues for approximately 2–3 more weeks.

    Port of Everett Segment E Bulkhead — $6.75M Final Phase (Completion: May 2026)

    The Port’s Segment E bulkhead rebuild on West Marine View Drive is at the end of its final phase. The $6.75M project, contracted to Bergerson Construction, replaces 165 linear feet of aging wood piling along the Port Gardner Landing area with modern steel — the final chapter of a 20-year, multi-segment bulkhead replacement program. When complete in May 2026, the entire Port of Everett marina-side wharf will have been systematically rebuilt. The work also stabilizes the SR-529 embankment above the marina and ties into ADA-compliant esplanade trail connections.

    Under Construction Now

    Millwright District Phase 2 — 300+ Waterfront Apartments (Under Construction, 2026–2028)

    LPC West (Lincoln Property Company) broke ground on the residential component of Millwright District Phase 2 in 2026. The development calls for 300+ apartments on the 10-acre district, which sits adjacent to the Central Marina esplanade. This is the first housing to be built on the Port of Everett’s waterfront in the project’s history. The full Millwright build-out over the coming five to seven years will also add 60,000+ square feet of retail and restaurants, 120,000+ square feet of pre-leasing Class-A office, and additional parking. Tenants should be able to move into housing within approximately two years of the groundbreaking. The Millwright Loop road infrastructure, which broke ground in August 2023, is already in place.

    Lenora Stormwater Treatment Facility — $8.73M Snohomish River Cleanup (Broke Ground April 2026)

    One of Everett’s newest active construction sites is the Lenora Regional Stormwater Treatment Facility at South 1st and Lenora in the Lowell neighborhood. The $8.73M project — funded by Washington State WQC grant WQC-2025-EverPW-00177 — will treat stormwater from 146 acres of drainage subbasins (LW-9, LW-10, LW-11) before discharge into the Marshland Canal and Snohomish River. The facility uses a five-cell Filterra Bioscape bioretention system. Expected construction timeline: approximately 8 months from the April 2026 groundbreaking, putting substantial completion around December 2026. This is one of the few significant environmental infrastructure projects currently active in the city.

    Eclipse Mill Riverfront Park — Two-Phase Build (Phase 1: July–November 2026)

    The Eclipse Mill Park on the Snohomish River is moving through its two-phase build. Phase 1 — the City of Everett’s portion, covering public infrastructure, riverbank work, and initial park improvements — is scheduled from July through November 2026. Phase 2, which covers the signature park structures and shelter elements, is under development by Shelter Holdings and is targeted for completion between Fall 2026 and Spring 2028. This is Everett’s most significant new riverfront public space in a generation, and it’s actively under pre-construction planning and permitting heading into the summer 2026 construction season.

    Approved and Starting Soon

    West Marine View Drive Pipeline — $113M Combined Sewer and Water Main Replacement (Summer 2026)

    The City Council approved the $113M West Marine View Drive pipeline project on April 2, 2026. The project replaces the combined sewer and stormwater pipe plus a 48-inch water main from Grand Ave Bridge to Hewitt Avenue along the waterfront corridor — a state-mandated CSO reduction project under order from the Washington Department of Ecology. The related Pacific Avenue Pipeline segment (1,000 linear feet, 42-inch pipe) is also funded and expected to begin construction summer 2026. The broader project feeds into the $200M+ Port Gardner Storage Facility program. Funded from restricted water/sewer utility funds — no new taxes required.

    Port of Everett Mukilteo Waterfront District — RFQ Expected Spring 2026

    The Port of Everett is assembling a second waterfront district in Mukilteo. In February 2026, the Port completed a quitclaim acquisition of 1.1 acres at 710 Front Street (former NOAA parcel), and the $closing for the adjacent Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing (0.55 acres, 9,637 sq ft building) is targeted for July 2026, with Ivar’s remaining as a long-term tenant. NBBJ Architecture is the design firm carried forward from prior planning. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for development partners is expected in spring 2026 — which means this site could enter serious pre-development this year, with the newly reopened Edgewater Bridge now providing restored road access between the two waterfronts.

    In Design / Pre-Construction

    Downtown Stadium — Design Phase (Vote April 29, 2026)

    The Everett City Council is expected to vote April 29 on the $10.6M design funding package — an interfund loan plus a $7.4M state Department of Commerce grant — that would allow DLR Group to proceed with final design of the downtown multi-sport stadium. The project is intended to eventually host the Everett AquaSox (baseball) and new USL men’s and women’s soccer teams. From a construction perspective, design completion is the prerequisite before any competitive contractor selection process. If the April 29 vote passes, detailed schematic and design development work begins. Actual construction groundbreaking is still multiple years away.

    Broadway Pedestrian Bridge — $3.1M Design Contract (Design Through 2028)

    The City Council approved a $3.1M contract with Kimley-Horn in late April to design a grade-separated pedestrian crossing over Broadway that connects Everett Community College’s main campus to its Learning Resource Center and WSU Everett. The likely location is north of 10th Street. Design is expected to take through end of 2028. Construction funding is a separate future vote. This is a design-only phase right now, but it fits Everett’s pattern of investing in pedestrian infrastructure along the transit corridor as Sound Transit Everett Link planning continues.

    What’s Done Since the Last Tracker

    Since our last full construction tracker in early April, several notable milestones have landed. The Segment E bulkhead moved into final phase and is nearly wrapped. The Edgewater Bridge — which appeared in the April tracker as a late-2025 project still pending — opened 18 months after its October 2024 closure. The $113M pipeline got council approval. The Lenora stormwater facility broke ground. And the Broadway bridge design contract was signed. That’s five significant project milestones in one month.

    Everett’s construction calendar for May through December 2026 is genuinely busy: pipeline work starts, Eclipse Mill Phase 1 starts in July, Lenora wraps around December, and Millwright’s residential frame continues going up. For a city that spent much of the last decade talking about what it wanted to become, the evidence of that becoming is now visible in the ground-level activity on almost every side of town.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How many major construction projects are active in Everett in 2026?

    At least 6-8 significant projects are under active construction or in funded design in Everett as of late April 2026: Millwright District Phase 2 apartments, Lenora Stormwater Facility, Eclipse Mill Park, West Marine View pipeline, Broadway pedestrian bridge design, and the downtown stadium design process — plus recently completed projects including the Edgewater Bridge and Port Segment E bulkhead.

    When will Millwright District Phase 2 apartments be ready?

    LPC West (Lincoln Property Company) is the developer. The residential units — 300+ apartments — are expected to be move-in ready within approximately two years of the 2026 groundbreaking, targeting 2027–2028 occupancy. The full Millwright buildout of retail, restaurants, and office space is a 5–7 year program.

    What is the Eclipse Mill Park and when does it open?

    Eclipse Mill Park is Everett’s new riverfront signature park on the Snohomish River. Phase 1 (city infrastructure work) is scheduled July–November 2026. Phase 2 (Shelter Holdings, park structures and amenities) targets completion between Fall 2026 and Spring 2028. The full park opening is expected Spring 2028.

    What’s the status of the Everett downtown stadium construction?

    The stadium is in the design funding phase. A City Council vote on $10.6M in design funding is expected April 29, 2026. If approved, DLR Group proceeds with final design. Physical construction groundbreaking is still several years away — design and permitting come first.

    What is the $113M pipeline project on West Marine View Drive?

    The $113M project replaces the combined sewer/stormwater pipe and a 48-inch water main along the waterfront corridor from Grand Ave Bridge to Hewitt Avenue. It’s a state-mandated CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) reduction project required by the Washington Department of Ecology, funded from restricted water/sewer utility reserves. Construction is expected to begin summer 2026.

  • Everett’s $34M Edgewater Bridge Opens Today — Here’s What 18 Months of Construction Actually Built

    Everett’s $34M Edgewater Bridge Opens Today — Here’s What 18 Months of Construction Actually Built

    Q: What is the Edgewater Bridge and why did it close?
    A: The Edgewater Bridge is a 366-foot span on SR-529 connecting Everett and Mukilteo, WA. Built in 1946, it closed October 30, 2024, for an $34 million full replacement needed to fix seismic vulnerabilities, deteriorating structure, and narrow lanes that no longer met modern safety standards. It reopened to vehicle traffic April 28, 2026.

    After 18 Months, the Bridge Is Back

    The Edgewater Bridge opened to vehicle traffic on April 28, 2026 — exactly 18 months after crews closed the span on October 30, 2024, to begin demolition. Nearly 300 people gathered the day before at a community celebration on April 27 to walk across the new structure before any cars touched it. By Tuesday evening, the lane striping was dry and Everett’s western connector to Mukilteo was carrying traffic again for the first time since fall 2024.

    For residents who commute between the two cities, use the Mukilteo ferry terminal, or work along SR-529, the 18-month detour was a real disruption. Transit routes rerouted. School buses took longer paths. Emergency response times to the western waterfront fringe lengthened. The bridge itself carried an estimated several thousand daily crossings before closure. Now all of that is restored — and then some, because what opened Tuesday is significantly better than what closed last fall.

    What Replaced a 1946 Bridge That Had Served 80 Years

    The bridge that came down was built in 1946. By the time Everett moved to replace it, the structure had served the community for 80 years — well past the typical 50-year design life for bridges of that era. Engineers determined it was seismically vulnerable: a major earthquake could have caused failure. The lanes were narrow, the sidewalks undersized, and the aging deck and piling needed either massive rehabilitation or outright replacement. The city chose replacement.

    The new bridge is 366 feet long — the same crossing, rebuilt from scratch. What’s different is everything else:

    • 12-foot travel lanes in each direction (wider than the old span)
    • 6.5-foot sidewalks on both sides of the bridge
    • 5-foot bike lanes buffered between the roadway and the sidewalks
    • Modern seismic design built to withstand a major Cascadia-scale earthquake
    • Improved lighting across the full span

    The sidewalk and bike lane combination is notable. The old bridge had minimal pedestrian accommodation. The new one has a genuine multi-use path system on both sides — connecting Everett’s western waterfront edge to Mukilteo’s waterfront district on foot or by bike. That’s a different kind of crossing than what existed before.

    A note for walkers: the sidewalks won’t be fully open immediately. Finishing work — permanent striping, barriers, and paint — is expected to take about two to three weeks after the vehicle lanes opened. Pedestrians should expect some temporary accommodation during that window.

    The Contractor, the Cost, and Where the Money Came From

    The City of Everett awarded the construction contract to Granite Construction Company — a firm with local Everett operations — at a bid price of $25,409,890.65. The total programmed project budget came to $34 million, with the difference covering design, environmental review, right-of-way, project management, and contingency.

    The funding breakdown: approximately $28 million came from federal grants, with $6 million supplied through local matching dollars from the city. This is a common structure for bridge replacement projects of this type — federal highway funds require a local match, and the grant process is what drove much of the pre-construction timeline.

    The total price works out to roughly $93,000 per linear foot of bridge — consistent with what comparable urban bridge replacements with seismic, bike-ped, and full utility upgrades have cost in the Pacific Northwest in recent years.

    Why It Took Longer Than Expected

    The Edgewater Bridge replacement was years in the making before a shovel touched the ground in October 2024. The city had initially aimed to start construction earlier — around 2022 — but a sequence of delays pushed the timeline back significantly:

    • COVID-19 disrupted the procurement schedule during the pandemic years
    • Environmental review took longer than projected, given the bridge’s position near the waterfront and tidal areas
    • A bidding error in an early procurement round required the process to restart from scratch

    Once construction finally started in fall 2024, the crew from Granite Construction ran into a challenge that doesn’t show up in the plans: the ground beneath the old bridge was full of debris from the previous bridge structure — old timber piling and concrete obstructions left behind from earlier bridge generations. Installing the new steel piling required working around and through material that simply wasn’t mapped. That slowed the foundation phase and contributed to the project finishing in late April 2026 rather than the original late 2025 target.

    What This Means for the Everett-Mukilteo Development Corridor

    The Edgewater Bridge isn’t just a commuter route. It’s the western land connection between Everett’s waterfront district and Mukilteo’s waterfront — two areas both undergoing significant investment right now.

    On the Everett side, the SR-529 corridor runs along the Port of Everett’s working waterfront — past the marina, past Waterfront Place, and toward the western edge of the Millwright District buildout. Restoring this connection matters for freight movement, marine service access, and visitor circulation from Mukilteo into Everett’s waterfront destination district.

    On the Mukilteo side, the Port of Everett is in the early stages of assembling a Mukilteo waterfront district of its own — having acquired the former NOAA parcel and the Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing site earlier this year, with an NBBJ architecture team already attached. The spring 2026 RFQ for that project is expected soon. The restored bridge connection is part of the context for how Everett and Mukilteo’s adjacent waterfronts function as a connected regional amenity, not just two separate city edges.

    Mukilteo officials made the point themselves at Monday’s ceremony: they see the bridge as a connector that should bring visitors in both directions, not just commuters. With the Everett waterfront’s restaurant row, marina, and Waterfront Place complex on one end and Mukilteo’s ferry landing, lighthouse, and forthcoming waterfront redevelopment on the other, the case for the bridge as a destination corridor — not just a traffic route — is real.

    How the Bridge Fits Everett’s Broader Infrastructure Moment

    The Edgewater Bridge opening is one piece of a larger infrastructure push Everett is moving through in 2026. In the past month alone:

    • The City Council approved the $113 million West Marine View Drive pipeline project — the biggest utility infrastructure move in years, replacing the combined sewer and water main along the waterfront corridor from Grand Ave Bridge to Hewitt Ave
    • The Port of Everett completed its Segment E bulkhead rebuild — a $6.75M project that ended a 20-year phased replacement program and stabilized the SR-529 embankment above the marina
    • The City approved a $3.1 million design contract for a new pedestrian bridge over Broadway connecting EvCC to WSU Everett

    The Edgewater Bridge is the project that’s been in the queue longest and now it’s done. It’s the kind of infrastructure that doesn’t get the attention of a stadium vote or a waterfront restaurant opening, but the 80 years of daily crossings — and the 18 months of inconvenience — say something about what it actually means to the people who depend on it.

    Frequently Asked Questions About the New Edgewater Bridge

    When did the Edgewater Bridge reopen?

    The new Edgewater Bridge opened to vehicle traffic on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. A community ceremony was held April 27, the day before vehicle traffic began.

    How much did the new Edgewater Bridge cost?

    The total project budget was $34 million. The construction contract was awarded to Granite Construction Company for $25,409,890.65. Funding came from approximately $28 million in federal grants and $6 million in local matching dollars.

    What is the Edgewater Bridge made of and how long is it?

    The new bridge is 366 feet long. It was built with steel piling (replacing the original structure) and features modern seismic design. The 1946 original used older structural materials that engineers determined were earthquake-vulnerable.

    Can you bike or walk across the new Edgewater Bridge?

    Yes — the new bridge has 6.5-foot sidewalks on both sides and 5-foot bike lanes between the roadway and the sidewalks. Finishing work on the pedestrian infrastructure is expected to take about 2-3 weeks after the vehicle lanes opened on April 28.

    Why did the Edgewater Bridge take so long to build?

    The project was delayed by COVID-19 disruptions, extended environmental review near the waterfront, and a bidding error that required a restart. Once construction began in October 2024, crews also encountered old timber and concrete obstructions underground from previous bridge generations, slowing the foundation work.

    Who built the new Edgewater Bridge?

    Granite Construction Company, which has local operations in Everett, won the construction contract at $25,409,890.65.

    What cities does the Edgewater Bridge connect?

    The Edgewater Bridge connects the cities of Everett and Mukilteo along SR-529 (West Mukilteo Boulevard). It serves commuters, school buses, transit routes, freight traffic, and emergency responders in both cities.

  • Everett Just Approved $3.1M to Design a Pedestrian Bridge Over Broadway: What the New EvCC + WSU Everett Crossing Actually Solves

    Everett Just Approved $3.1M to Design a Pedestrian Bridge Over Broadway: What the New EvCC + WSU Everett Crossing Actually Solves

    What did Everett approve for the Broadway pedestrian bridge? On April 23, 2026, the Everett City Council approved a $3.1 million contract with engineering and planning consultancy Kimley-Horn to design a pedestrian bridge over Broadway in north Everett. The bridge will connect Everett Community College’s main campus to the Learning Resource Center on the east side of Broadway, with a connection that also serves the WSU Everett campus. The design is expected to be complete by the end of 2028. The bridge will likely be located just north of 10th Street.

    There is a six-lane road in north Everett called Broadway that thousands of college students cross every weekday — most of them on foot, most of them on a tight schedule between classes, almost all of them at street level with cars. On April 23, the Everett City Council took the first step toward fixing that.

    The council approved a $3.1 million contract with engineering firm Kimley-Horn to design a pedestrian bridge over Broadway connecting Everett Community College’s main campus to the Learning Resource Center, the campus library and study building that sits across the road on the east side. The same bridge will also tie into the WSU Everett campus, which shares the same general area on Broadway just north of downtown.

    This is one of those projects that does not get covered the way a stadium vote or a waterfront groundbreaking gets covered, but that quietly shapes daily life for thousands of Everett residents. We watched the contract approval and dug into the scope to figure out what is actually being built and on what timeline.

    What the $3.1 million does, and what it does not do

    The first thing to understand about the April 23 vote is that it does not build a bridge. It pays for the design of a bridge.

    The $3.1 million contract with Kimley-Horn — a national engineering and planning firm with a Northwest office — covers the design phase only. That includes the structural engineering, the architecture, the geotechnical work, the traffic analysis, the utility coordination, the permitting work, the public outreach process, and the construction documents that a future contractor will need to actually build the structure.

    A pedestrian bridge over a six-lane arterial like Broadway is not a small piece of engineering. It has to clear traffic with adequate vertical clearance, accommodate emergency vehicle heights, meet ADA accessibility requirements end to end, handle Pacific Northwest weather and seismic loading, and connect cleanly to existing pedestrian paths on both campuses. Kimley-Horn’s contract covers all of that work.

    The design phase is expected to wrap up at the end of 2028. That is the realistic timeline for a piece of infrastructure of this complexity, and it accounts for the public engagement, environmental review, and permit process that has to happen before construction can be put out to bid.

    Once the design is complete, a separate council vote will approve the construction contract. That is a different ordinance, a different price tag, and a different timeline — and right now the city has not announced a target construction start date or estimated total cost for the build.

    Why a bridge here, specifically

    Everett Community College is one of the larger institutions in the city by daily population. The main campus sits on the west side of Broadway between roughly 22nd Street and Tower Street. The Learning Resource Center — which houses much of the library, study, and student services functions — is on the east side of Broadway. The WSU Everett campus sits in the same area, sharing facilities and a daily student population with EvCC.

    Today, students moving between buildings cross Broadway at street-level signalized intersections. Broadway in this stretch is a six-lane arterial that carries significant car traffic between north Everett and downtown, and the at-grade crossings introduce real conflicts between pedestrian flow and vehicle movement. During class change times — the 10-minute windows when several thousand students simultaneously try to get from one building to the next — the crossings get crowded, the wait times for cars stack up, and pedestrians and drivers end up in the same intersections under time pressure.

    A grade-separated pedestrian bridge eliminates the conflict. Students walk over the road. Cars do not stop. Class change becomes faster, safer, and more predictable for everybody.

    The likely location north of 10th Street puts the bridge close to the natural foot traffic between the main campus and the Learning Resource Center. The exact siting will be one of the design phase decisions over the next two and a half years.

    Why this fits Everett’s broader pattern

    The Broadway pedestrian bridge is part of a noticeable shift in how Everett is thinking about its right-of-way. The city has spent the last several years putting more weight on pedestrian and bike infrastructure as a deliberate policy choice — the new Edgewater Bridge that opens to traffic April 28 includes wide sidewalks and 5-foot bike lanes on each side, the Pacific Avenue Gateway project includes a public art installation at the Pacific entrance from I-5, and the multi-year work on downtown streetscapes has prioritized pedestrian-friendly design over pure vehicle throughput.

    The Broadway bridge fits the same pattern. North Everett is one of the densest pedestrian environments in the city — between EvCC, WSU Everett, the residential neighborhoods around them, and the commercial strips on either side of Broadway, this is a part of the city that is genuinely walked. Investing $3.1 million in design now signals that the city is willing to put real capital into making that walkability safer.

    It is also a partnership story worth noting. The bridge serves the EvCC and WSU Everett campuses primarily. The design and construction are being led by the city. That kind of city-and-institution coordination is the only way a piece of infrastructure like this gets built — campuses cannot construct in city right-of-way on their own, and the city cannot prioritize a single-purpose pedestrian crossing without a clear partner. The fact that the project moved from concept to a $3.1 million design contract suggests that all the parties involved have aligned on what they want and how to pay for it.

    What to watch over the next two and a half years

    A few specific things will tell us how this project actually evolves between now and the end of 2028.

    Watch the public engagement process. The city and Kimley-Horn will run multiple rounds of public input on the bridge design — siting, aesthetics, lighting, public art elements, how it connects to existing pedestrian paths, how it handles weather. Students, faculty, neighbors, and broader Everett residents will all have a chance to weigh in. The dates and meeting formats will be posted on the city’s project page as they firm up.

    Watch the alignment selection. Kimley-Horn will likely produce two to four candidate alignment options early in the design process. The exact location north of 10th Street, the angle of the bridge, the column placement and the connection points to existing campus paths are all decisions that will be made publicly. Each option has trade-offs around cost, traffic disruption during construction, sightlines, and how cleanly it ties into existing buildings.

    Watch the construction cost estimate when it lands. The $3.1 million is design only. The construction estimate will not be public until the design phase produces a real, biddable scope — likely in late 2027 or 2028. When it does land, it will be the number that determines whether the bridge actually moves to construction or whether the project stalls for funding reasons. Pedestrian bridges over six-lane arterials are not cheap, and the city will need to decide where the construction money comes from.

    Watch what happens to the on-the-ground experience for EvCC and WSU Everett students between now and the end of 2028. The bridge does not exist yet, and will not for several more years. In the meantime, signal timing improvements, crosswalk markings, and other interim safety measures at the existing at-grade crossings are within the city’s reach right now. The Broadway pedestrian bridge is the long-term answer. Better at-grade crossings are the bridge between now and the bridge.

    The honest read

    This is the kind of city-shaping decision that does not move the news cycle but moves a piece of the city. By the end of 2028, north Everett will have a fully designed pedestrian bridge over one of its busiest arterials, ready to put out to bid. By some point in the early 2030s, depending on construction funding and timing, that bridge will be carrying students between EvCC’s two main building groups every weekday.

    For a $3.1 million design vote that did not make a single regional headline, that is a meaningful piece of how the city actually changes over the next decade.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What did the Everett City Council approve on April 23, 2026?

    The Everett City Council approved a $3.1 million contract with engineering consultancy Kimley-Horn to design a pedestrian bridge over Broadway in north Everett. The contract covers the design phase only — including engineering, permitting, public engagement, and construction documents. A separate future council vote will be needed to approve the construction contract.

    Where will the Broadway pedestrian bridge be located?

    The bridge will likely be located just north of 10th Street on Broadway, connecting Everett Community College’s main campus on the west side of Broadway to the Learning Resource Center on the east side. The bridge will also connect to the WSU Everett campus, which shares the same area. The exact siting will be determined during the design phase.

    When will the Broadway pedestrian bridge be built?

    The design phase is expected to be complete by the end of 2028. After design is finalized, the city will need to put the construction phase out to bid and approve a separate construction contract. A specific construction start date and overall project completion date have not yet been announced.

    Who is designing the bridge?

    Kimley-Horn, a national engineering and planning consultancy, was awarded the $3.1 million design contract by the Everett City Council on April 23, 2026.

    Why does Everett need a pedestrian bridge over Broadway?

    Broadway in this stretch is a six-lane arterial carrying significant traffic between north Everett and downtown. Today, students moving between Everett Community College’s main campus and the Learning Resource Center on the east side of the road cross at street-level signalized intersections. A grade-separated pedestrian bridge eliminates the conflict between pedestrians and vehicles and improves safety and flow during class change times.

    How much will the Broadway pedestrian bridge cost in total?

    The $3.1 million approved on April 23 covers only the design phase. The construction cost estimate will not be public until the design phase produces a biddable scope, likely in late 2027 or 2028. Pedestrian bridges over multi-lane arterials are significant infrastructure projects and the construction cost will be set by the design once it is complete.

    What about students who need to cross Broadway right now?

    The bridge will not exist for several years. In the meantime, EvCC and WSU Everett students continue to cross Broadway at the existing signalized intersections. The city has tools for improving safety at those at-grade crossings — signal timing, crosswalk markings, signage — that are within reach in the near term while the bridge design and construction process plays out.

  • Edgewater Bridge Community Celebration Is Monday at 3:30 — Here’s What to Know Before You Walk Across

    Edgewater Bridge Community Celebration Is Monday at 3:30 — Here’s What to Know Before You Walk Across

    Quick answer: The City of Everett is hosting a community celebration for the new Edgewater Bridge on Monday, April 27 at 3:30 p.m. Residents are invited to walk across the bridge, hear remarks from Everett and Mukilteo officials, and meet the project team. The bridge will not be open to vehicle traffic during the celebration. The bridge officially reopens to vehicles on Tuesday, April 28.

    After 18 months of detours, closures and the slow-motion choreography of a $34 million bridge replacement, the Edgewater Bridge is back. And before it opens to traffic, the city is throwing residents a chance to walk across it first.

    The community celebration is set for Monday, April 27 at 3:30 p.m. Mayor Cassie Franklin and officials from the City of Mukilteo are expected to deliver remarks, the project team will be on hand to walk attendees through how the bridge was rebuilt, and the public is invited to walk across the new span as part of the event.

    Then, at the end of the workday on Tuesday, April 28, the bridge will officially reopen to vehicle traffic — restoring the connection between Everett’s Mukilteo Boulevard corridor and the City of Mukilteo for the first time since fall 2024.

    What to Expect at the Celebration

    This is a community-style event, not a ribbon-cutting reception. The city has framed it as a chance for neighbors to walk the new bridge, learn how the replacement was built, and take in remarks from Everett and Mukilteo officials.

    A few practical notes for residents who want to attend:

    • The bridge will not be open to vehicles during the celebration. You can approach the bridge from either side — Everett or Mukilteo — but you cannot drive across it Monday afternoon. Vehicle traffic resumes Tuesday.
    • You can walk across. That’s the entire point of the event. Pedestrians are welcome to cross the bridge during the celebration window.
    • Project staff will be available to answer questions. If you’ve ever wanted to know how the seismic upgrades work, why the bike lanes are configured the way they are, or what’s coming next on the Mukilteo Boulevard corridor — Monday is your shot.
    • Some finishing work continues after opening. Permanent roadway striping, barriers, lighting and paint may still need to be completed in the days and weeks after the bridge reopens. Drivers should expect occasional lane shifts or short closures during off-peak hours.

    The celebration is free and open to the public. No tickets, no RSVP, no formal program — just the chance to walk across before the cars take over again.

    Why a Community Walk Across the Bridge Is Worth Doing

    Bridge openings don’t usually get a public celebration. Most ribbon-cuttings happen at 10 a.m. on a weekday with a few elected officials and a press release.

    This one is different for a few reasons.

    The closure was long and disruptive. Everett residents who use Mukilteo Boulevard, the Boeing employees who rely on it for commuting, and Mukilteo neighbors who route through Everett have been living with detours for the better part of a year and a half. The detour pushed traffic onto other corridors, slowed commutes, and meaningfully reshuffled neighborhood traffic patterns.

    The bridge is a significant piece of regional infrastructure. The Edgewater Bridge is one of the key connection points between the City of Everett and the City of Mukilteo, and it carries one of the more scenic stretches of road in the region. The new structure includes seismic upgrades, dedicated bike lanes, and improved pedestrian infrastructure that the previous bridge didn’t have.

    Most of the cost was federally funded. The roughly $34 million replacement project was approximately 80 percent federally funded, meaning the bulk of the bill was carried by federal transportation dollars rather than Everett’s general fund or local taxpayers directly. Public events like Monday’s are also a chance for project staff to walk residents through that funding structure and what it bought.

    Walking a new bridge before traffic opens is a one-time-only thing. Once Tuesday hits, the bridge becomes part of the daily traffic grid. Monday afternoon is the only window where a resident can experience the structure on foot, in the open air, without dodging cars.

    How the Bridge Got Here

    The Edgewater Bridge replacement project closed the original structure to traffic in 2024 to allow for full demolition and rebuild. Mukilteo Boulevard was rerouted, neighborhood traffic patterns shifted, and the timeline ran the better part of 18 months.

    The new bridge includes several upgrades over the structure it replaces:

    • Seismic resilience. The bridge was rebuilt to current seismic standards — meaningful in a region that sits on the Cascadia Subduction Zone and where post-1990s seismic codes are now the baseline for major infrastructure.
    • Bike lanes. The new bridge includes dedicated bicycle facilities that match the city’s broader plan to improve non-motorized transportation along Mukilteo Boulevard.
    • Updated pedestrian infrastructure. Crossing the bridge on foot or by bike is now meaningfully different than it was on the previous structure.
    • Drainage and structural updates that bring the bridge in line with current Washington State engineering standards.

    After the public celebration on Monday and the traffic reopening on Tuesday, the project enters its punch-list phase. Permanent roadway striping, barriers, lighting and paint may still need to be completed after the bridge is open to traffic. The city has signaled drivers may see occasional brief impacts during finishing work, but the corridor will be open to traffic.

    What Happens After the Bridge Reopens

    The Edgewater Bridge reopening is one of two big infrastructure stories on the same Mukilteo Boulevard corridor. Mukilteo Boulevard at the bridge is projected to fully reopen to traffic in April 2026, weather permitting — meaning the entire corridor, not just the bridge structure itself, returns to normal operation.

    Once the bridge and corridor are both open, expect the traffic patterns that have been displaced for 18 months to shift back. Neighborhood streets that were absorbing detour traffic should see relief. Mukilteo Boulevard itself returns to functioning as the connecting route it was before the closure. And the broader regional traffic grid between Everett and Mukilteo restores its primary connection.

    For commuters who built workarounds during the closure, it’s worth knowing the bridge will be fully open — but with finishing work continuing for at least a few weeks. Plan for occasional minor adjustments rather than perfectly normal traffic.

    How to Attend

    The celebration starts at 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 27. Residents can approach the bridge from either the Everett or Mukilteo side. Pedestrian access is open during the event window; vehicle access is not. The bridge officially reopens to vehicle traffic on Tuesday, April 28, at the end of the workday.

    For project information, visit the City of Everett’s Edgewater Bridge Replacement Project page at everettwa.gov.

    This is the first time most Everett and Mukilteo residents will set foot on the new bridge. After Monday, most of us will only experience it through a windshield.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When is the Edgewater Bridge community celebration? Monday, April 27, 2026, at 3:30 p.m.

    When does the bridge reopen to traffic? Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the end of the workday.

    Can I drive across the bridge during the celebration? No. The bridge will not be open to vehicle traffic on Monday during the celebration. Pedestrian access only that afternoon. Vehicles return Tuesday.

    Where do I park to attend the celebration? The city has not announced dedicated event parking. Residents should plan to use street parking near either approach to the bridge — on the Everett side along Mukilteo Boulevard, or from the Mukilteo side near the existing approach. Plan to walk a short distance.

    Is the celebration free? Yes. Free, open to the public, no tickets or RSVP required.

    Will Mayor Franklin be there? Officials from both Everett and Mukilteo are expected to deliver brief remarks at the celebration.

    How much did the bridge cost, and who paid for it? The replacement project came in around $34 million, with approximately 80 percent of the cost covered by federal transportation funding. The remaining share was covered through state and local sources.

    What changed about the new bridge versus the old one? The new bridge includes seismic upgrades, dedicated bike lanes, and improved pedestrian infrastructure — none of which existed on the previous structure.

    Will the entire Mukilteo Boulevard corridor be open after April 28? Yes. Mukilteo Boulevard at the bridge is projected to reopen to traffic in April 2026, weather permitting. Some finishing work — striping, lighting, painting — will continue afterward but should not cause major traffic disruptions.

  • Everett’s New Edgewater Bridge Opens April 28: What Commuters and Neighbors Need to Know

    Everett’s New Edgewater Bridge Opens April 28: What Commuters and Neighbors Need to Know

    What is the Edgewater Bridge? The Edgewater Bridge spans the Mukilteo ravine on the border between Everett and Mukilteo, connecting the two cities along Mukilteo Boulevard. The 366-foot-long bridge is a primary commute corridor for residents of both cities and was built in 1946 — making the original structure nearly 80 years old when it closed for replacement.

    After 18 months of construction and a $34.9 million investment, Everett’s new Edgewater Bridge will open to vehicle traffic on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The community is invited to walk across the bridge the day before at a free celebration event on Sunday, April 27 at 3:30 p.m.

    Why the Bridge Had to Be Replaced

    The original Edgewater Bridge was built in 1946. By the time the City of Everett closed it in October 2024, the structure had reached the end of its rated useful life and had known seismic vulnerabilities. Rather than patch an aging span, the city moved forward with full replacement.

    Replacing the bridge was not a straightforward project. Construction crews encountered significant underground obstacles — old timber and concrete debris from a previous, earlier bridge structure were embedded deep in the soil, complicating the installation of the steel piling needed to support the new span. Then, in December 2025, an atmospheric river weather event caused damage to portions of the project and pushed the completion date back further, into April 2026.

    The scale of the work was considerable: crews had to fully remove the 366-foot-long, 60-foot-tall original bridge and build two temporary work platforms on either side of the ravine from which the new structure was constructed piece by piece.

    What’s Different About the New Bridge

    The new Edgewater Bridge is not just a replacement — it’s a meaningful upgrade in several key ways.

    • Wider sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides of the roadway — a significant improvement for pedestrians and cyclists who previously had more limited options on the original structure.
    • Modern seismic engineering — the new bridge is designed to perform better in an earthquake, addressing the structural concerns that made replacement necessary.
    • Longer designed service life — built to current standards, the bridge is intended to serve Everett and Mukilteo for decades.

    The bridge straddles the city boundary, welcoming travelers into both Everett and Mukilteo. Once the final finishing work is complete, pedestrians and cyclists will have dedicated, protected lanes on each side of the roadway.

    How the $34.9 Million Project Was Paid For

    The total project cost is $34.9 million. Of that, $28 million — roughly 80 percent — came from federal grant funding. The remaining portion was covered by city transportation funds.

    Mayor Cassie Franklin said she was “excited to see the brand-new Edgewater Bridge open again and serving our community,” acknowledging the disruption the closure caused. “Construction brought real impacts — especially to the neighbors who live close to the bridge — but I’m proud to deliver a more structurally sound bridge that’s built to last and ready for the future.”

    What to Expect at the April 27 Celebration

    The City of Everett is hosting a community event on Sunday, April 27 at 3:30 p.m. where residents from both Everett and Mukilteo can walk across the new bridge, meet members of the project team, and hear remarks from city officials.

    Important note: the bridge will not be open to vehicle traffic at the time of the celebration. You can approach from either side but will not be able to drive across. Vehicles will begin crossing on Tuesday, April 28.

    What’s Still Being Finished After Opening

    Even after vehicles start using the bridge on April 28, some work will continue. According to the City of Everett, permanent roadway striping, barriers, lighting, paint, and other finishing tasks may still be in progress. The new sidewalks and bike lanes will remain closed to pedestrian and cyclist use until that final phase of work is complete — so pedestrian access will follow the vehicle opening by a short period.

    Why This Reopening Matters for Everett and Mukilteo

    Mukilteo Boulevard is a primary east-west connector used daily by commuters heading toward Interstate 5, Paine Field, and local destinations in both cities. The 18-month closure forced drivers to reroute through already-congested surface streets — an impact felt by neighborhoods on both sides of the ravine. The reopening directly relieves that pressure.

    The new bike lanes and wider sidewalks also represent a real win for non-motorized transportation in a corridor that previously had limited options. Both Everett and Mukilteo have been working to improve walkability and bikeability, and this crossing is now part of that network in a meaningful way.

    Frequently Asked Questions About the Edgewater Bridge Opening

    When does the Edgewater Bridge open to vehicles?

    The bridge opens to vehicle traffic at the end of the workday on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

    When is the community celebration for the new Edgewater Bridge?

    The City of Everett is hosting a community walk-across event on Sunday, April 27 at 3:30 p.m. The bridge will not be open to vehicle traffic at that time. Residents can approach from either the Everett or Mukilteo side.

    How much did the new Edgewater Bridge cost?

    The total project cost is $34.9 million, with $28 million funded by federal grants — about 80 percent of the project cost covered by federal dollars.

    Is the new bridge safer in an earthquake?

    Yes. The new bridge was built to modern seismic engineering standards and is significantly more earthquake-resistant than the 1946 original, which had known structural vulnerabilities.

    Why did the bridge closure last 18 months?

    The original construction schedule was extended twice — first due to underground obstructions from an older bridge structure buried beneath the site, and again after an atmospheric river weather event in December 2025 caused damage to portions of the project.

    Will there be bike lanes and sidewalks on the new Edgewater Bridge?

    Yes. The new bridge includes bike lanes and wider sidewalks on both sides. They will open to use once final finishing work on the project is complete, which is expected to happen shortly after the vehicle opening.

    What cities does the Edgewater Bridge connect?

    The Edgewater Bridge straddles the boundary between Everett and Mukilteo, connecting both cities along Mukilteo Boulevard.