A newly painted steel beam on the SR 536 Skagit River Bridge shows the light gray finish crews are applying to match the bridge's original 1990 color. (Photo: WSDOT)
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — Crews have begun applying the finishing coat of paint to the east span of the SR 536 Skagit River Bridge in Mount Vernon as a preservation project moves toward an early 2027 completion.
The Washington State Department of Transportation said Tuesday, Sept. 15, that crews also continue to inspect, repair and replace steel components on the bridge.
WSDOT said the project remains on schedule for completion in early 2027, before the start of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in April.
Bridge receives first new paint since 1990
The project will give the 675-foot-long bridge its first new coat of paint in 36 years.
Crews are removing the existing paint, rust and other debris before applying primer and a protective light gray finish. The new paint matches the color used on the bridge in 1990.
Crews will also conduct detailed inspections of the bridge’s steel components and repair or replace areas with significant corrosion.
The bridge connects downtown Mount Vernon with West Mount Vernon and carries SR 536, also known as Division Street.
Eastbound traffic remains closed
The bridge remains closed to eastbound traffic during construction while crews install a containment system around the bridge.
The containment system will keep paint and debris from entering the Skagit River as crews remove the old coating and apply the new one.
Westbound traffic generally remains open across the bridge, allowing drivers to reach homes and businesses in West Mount Vernon. Eastbound traffic must detour across the river using northbound Avon Allen Road, eastbound SR 20 and southbound I-5.
WSDOT decided to keep traffic moving in one direction to reduce the backups that alternating traffic could create and limit delays for emergency responders.
People walking, bicycling or using mobility devices can continue to cross the bridge in both directions for most of the project. Emergency vehicles can also use the bridge in both directions.
More full closures planned
WSDOT could close the bridge completely for up to four weekends and three weeknights while crews move the containment system to different sections of the bridge.
During those closures, westbound traffic will detour across the Skagit River using northbound I-5 and westbound SR 20.
An ADA-compliant shuttle will serve pedestrians, bicyclists and people using mobility devices during full closures.
WSDOT will announce the closure dates as crews schedule the work.
A bridge with a history
The SR 536 Skagit River Bridge dates to 1953 and opened to traffic in 1954. The Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation added the bridge to its Historic Property Inventory in 2011.
The bridge is one of six remaining movable bridges on the state highway system. Engineers originally designed it to swing open for boat traffic.
The bridge has remained in a fixed position since 1967, but U.S. Coast Guard regulations require WSDOT to maintain its ability to open.
About 18,000 vehicles crossed the 28-foot-wide bridge each day in 2024, with traffic nearly evenly divided between eastbound and westbound travel.
WSDOT selected Cekra Inc. of Wilmington, North Carolina, as the project’s contractor. The company also completed painting work on the SR 20 Deception Pass Bridge in 2020.
The SR 536 Skagit River Bridge project is expected to continue through early 2027.
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