Ship Canal Bridge

Ship Canal Bridge is a road bridge in Seattle with two stacked decks that span across Portage Bay and carry eight traffic lanes. The lower level contains express lanes dedicated to high-volume traffic, while the upper level handles standard directional flow.

The bridge opened in 1962 as the largest infrastructure project of its kind in the Pacific Northwest at that time. Its completion marked a major milestone in developing Seattle's transportation network.

The bridge links two distinct neighborhoods and has become a defining symbol of Seattle's urban landscape. Daily, thousands of drivers experience the characteristic steel structure that marks the city's major transportation spine.

The bridge carries Interstate 5 traffic and is not accessible to pedestrians or cyclists. Visitors can view the structure from the water or from surrounding vantage points around the bay.

The lower deck features lanes that reverse direction based on time of day to adapt to traffic volume. This system maximizes traffic flow during morning and evening rush periods by moving traffic where it is needed most.

Location: Washington

Inception: December 1962

Official opening: December 1962

GPS coordinates: 47.65310,-122.32300

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:42