10/13/2026
The Great ShakeOut is this Thursday, October 15! Millions of people around the world will participate in earthquake drills at work, school and home. In the spirit of the ShakeOut, we’re highlighting our efforts to make our bridges safer and more seismically resilient. What does “seismically resilient” mean? That means that the bridge will be more likely to survive a major earthquake.
One area where we’ve focused significant effort is West Mukilteo Boulevard. There are three major bridges that provide critical access and connections between Everett and Mukilteo. These bridges were built long before modern seismic design standards. If a major earthquake damaged or closed these bridges, it could isolate entire neighborhoods with no reliable road access in or out.
The City has been systematically addressing that risk. Maple Heights Bridge was the first step. A seismic retrofit was completed in 2020 to strengthen the bridge and address seismic weaknesses.
The next priority was the Edgewater Creek Bridge. We determined that a retrofit of the bridge wouldn't address the structural and seismic deficiencies that our team identified. A full bridge replacement was needed. After several years of planning, design and construction, the new Edgewater Bridge opened in April 2026. The new bridge is built to modern seismic standards and will provide reliable service for generations.
The final major step toward improving seismic resiliency along West Mukilteo Boulevard is the replacement of the Merrill and Ring Bridge near Harborview Park. Design is currently underway, with construction anticipated in 2029, subject to funding.
Together, these projects represent a long-term investment in more than bridges. They help protect critical transportation connections, maintain emergency access and make Everett better prepared to recover after a major earthquake.
You can read more about Everett's Bridge Program at everettwa.gov/bridgeprogram.
