Emergency Work On Aurora Bridge After Steel Deterioration Found

SEATTLE, WA — The right, southbound lane of the Aurora Bridge will be closed through the week as crews work around-the-clock to repair deteriorated steel on the underside of the bridge. WSDOT said the issue came to light during an in-depth inspection of the structure over the weekend.

Crews found advanced corrosion on a stringer beam that runs beneath the southbound lanes. KOMO News reported the affected beam only reallocates weight for the one lane, which is why other lanes can remain open during repairs.

Transportation officials said the bridge is still safe to cross and called the closure a precautionary step as repairs are implemented. The closure reduces southbound bridge traffic to just two lanes, and some backups were noted Monday morning. Drivers who rely on the bridge for their commutes are encouraged to use alternate routes or transit options.