Ballard Bridge

I like this bridge when it’s not up! Short and sweet! But, when it’s up, oh man! You don’t want to know!

The Ballard Bridge — built in 1917 and connects the neighborhoods of Magnolia and Queen Anne to Ballard. Without this bridge — such a trek is possible using Aurora Ave or perhaps, boating across, but it wouldn’t be as efficient.
I’m happy that this bridge exists; it serves the function of efficiently traveling around in the area.
Do take note, when there’s a motor vehicle accident on the bridge — be prepared to wait a long while…

Yay! I’m a fan! This is almost as strange as rating a gas station. Great bridge, use it all the time.

Frightening, scary and yet necessary. It still has a few good views if youare quick with a head turn. regular users know the convoluted entrances and exits and have low tolerance fo those who limp on and off.

It’s a good bridge. Gets me and my bike to work and back. not much to complain about except when I want it to be down, but instead it’s up… hate when that happens.

Well, I love this bridge. I can’t quite articulate why; maybe because I’ve never tried to bike across it. But seeing as I have a serious phobia of driving over bridges, I feel I’m uniquely qualified to rate them.
So 4 stars for being who you are, Ballard Bridge, and for not scaring me too badly when I drive across you.

Damn this bridge!
I had to go across this bridge four times a day, every day until I moved out of Ballard two months ago. I have no idea was percentage of the time it was up, but it was a pretty high number.
I worked at Fishermen’s Terminal, so imagine trying to get out of there when the bridge was up. The traffic flowed up over the overpass and dowwnnn the hill all the way to right in front of the terminal. UGH!
It ALWAYS went up during the lunch hour, screwing up traffic and preventing people from taking a real lunch break. Somehow it ALWAYS went up at 10 or 11pm at night, when I was trying to get home from a friends house or event downtown.
My only happiness regarding this bridge was the one time I rode in a boat large enough to require the bridge to go up. I laughed and laughed at the waiting cars and cackled about how it was finally MY TURN to screw up people’s days. Apparently I have a lot of resentment built up for this bridge…
Last I saw they were painting the bridge (and oh god, did that process screw traffic up even MORE), so maybe it will look prettier… but that won’t improve traffic.
I miss Ballard, but I do not miss that bridge!