Montlake Bridge, Double-leaf bascule bridge in Montlake, United States
Montlake Bridge is a double-leaf bascule bridge that crosses the Lake Washington Ship Canal and joins the Montlake neighborhood with the University District. The structure carries vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles on its decks while allowing tall sailing vessels to pass beneath when the two leaves raise vertically.
The bridge opened in 1925 as the final addition to a series of bascule bridges built for the newly developed ship canal. It was constructed to serve growing traffic between neighborhoods while accommodating commercial and recreational boat traffic.
The bridge serves as a gathering place where locals and visitors watch the mechanical opening during boating season, making it part of Seattle's waterfront culture. The sight of the bascule leaves rising draws crowds who come to experience this working piece of the city.
The bridge features sidewalks on both sides and accommodates cars, bicycles, and pedestrians daily without congestion in most conditions. Plan to stop and wait when boats pass through, as the bridge raises and halts traffic for several minutes while vessels navigate the canal.
The structure features Gothic-inspired architectural details including pointed arches and decorative towers that set it apart from purely functional modern bridges. These ornamental elements reflect the engineering style of Seattle's 1920s development period.
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