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.