Olympia’s Bridge Upgrade & Estuary Revival | Seattle News

Seattle News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 18, 2026 · 1m

Olympia’s iconic 5th Avenue Bridge is getting a major upgrade with protected bike lanes, a wide shared-use trail, and scenic viewing spots—all part of the ambitious Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project. This multi-benefit initiative aims to remove the Capitol Lake dam, restore habitats, and build climate resilience, while community input shaped every detail from safety to public art. With construction slated for 5-6 years and traffic disruptions minimized, the city’s pushing to finalize designs and cut costs before seeking funding—keeping the old bridge open for most of the build. Listen in…