FREMONT BRIDGE (SEATTLE)

The 'Fremont Bridge' is a double-leaf bascule bridge that connects Fremont and 4th Avenues N. 30 feet over Seattle's Fremont Cut between Fremont and Queen Anne.
The Fremont Bridge was opened on Friday June 15, 1917 at a cost of $410,000.^[1] The first traffic over the bridge was to "owl cars", the last run of the trolleys, and then after 5am the same day to all other traffic. The Lake Washington Ship Canal was dedicated on July 4, 1917, which has caused confusion about the opening date, for this bridge crosses the canal. The Fremont Bridge is the first of four city bascules to cross the canal, the others being Ballard Bridge (1917), University Bridge (1919), and Montlake Bridge (1925). The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Due to its low clearance, the Fremont Bridge opens an average of 35 times a day, which makes it the most frequently opened drawbridge in the United States and one of the busiest bridges in the world.^[2] Federal law gives marine traffic the right-of-way over vehicular traffic, however the Fremont Bridge is closed to water traffic during rush hours.^[3]
The bridge's blue and orange color was chosen by voters at a 1985 street fair.^[4]
The Fremont Bridge is currently undergoing a $41.9 million restoration project to replace the approaches and maintenance shop, as well as renovation of the mechanical and electrical systems that operate the bascule.^[5] The approaches were completed in May 2007^[6] and the entire project is expected to last through Spring of 2008.^[7]

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References

References

1. Spanning Washington : Historic Highway Bridges of the Evergreen State, , Craig E., Holstine, Washington State University Press, , ISBN 0-87422-281-8
2. Bridges and Roadway Structures
3. Bridges and Roadway Structures: Bridge Openings
4. Big for our bridges
5. Fremont Bridge will close overnight this week
6. All Lanes Of Fremont Bridge Open
7. Fremont Bridge Approaches Replacement Project