Division Street Bridge painting project without a start date

MOUNT VERNON - The state Department of Transportation's painting of the Division Street Bridge in Mount Vernon is still planned to start in May, though a start date has not been set.

The project is expected to take 11 months and will limit the bridge to westbound traffic only.

"Even though we don't have a finalized start date, we are still expecting work to begin in May," Department of Transportation spokesperson David Rasbach wrote in an email.

Rasbach said the start date will be announced when it becomes available via the project web page, social media, travel map and travel advisory.

"Our contractor and project office are still finalizing the start date," he wrote. "We will announce it as soon as that is available."

He said contractor crews will also place signs on the road to notify before the project begins.

During the 11-month project, eastbound traffic will be rerouted to head north on Avon Allen Road, east on Highway 20 and south on Interstate 5 across the Skagit River.

For eastbound drivers headed to downtown Mount Vernon, this detour route will add about 15 minutes to the usual travel time.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.