Ship Canal bridges: Ballard, Fremont, University and Montlake

Every boat between Puget Sound and Lake Washington passes the Ballard Locks and then up to four bridges: Ballard Bridge, Fremont Bridge, University Bridge, Montlake Bridge. Ballard, Fremont and University share one federal rule. Montlake has its own, with longer weekday hours and a clock-only window in the afternoon.

Fremont is the lowest and opens most. A boat that clears Ballard may still need Fremont. University Bridge has no live feed, the one gap in the canal.

The shared rule

• On weekdays, except federal holidays other than Columbus Day, from 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. it need not open for a vessel under 1,000 tons, unless that vessel is towing one of 1,000 gross tons or more.
• The tender may hold an opening up to 10 minutes to pass backed-up road traffic, but must open without delay for a vessel engaged in towing.
• From 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. it opens if at least one hour's notice is given to the tender at the Fremont Bridge.

Montlake's rule

• Opens on signal for boats.
• The tender may hold an opening up to 10 minutes to pass backed-up road traffic, but must open without delay for a vessel engaged in towing.
• For a vessel under 1,000 gross tons that is not towing one of 1,000 gross tons or more, on weekdays except federal holidays, it need not open from 7 to 9 a.m. and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. between April 30 and September 1, or from 7 to 10 a.m. and 3:30 to 7 p.m. between September 1 and April 30.
• For those same vessels on those same weekdays, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. and 6 to 6:30 p.m. it need open only on the hour and the half hour.

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