Highway 99 at the Aurora Bridge was blocked northbound just before the Bridge Way exit, then closed in both directions, cutting off a major route between north Seattle and downtown.

The closure follows what witnesses described as a major motor vehicle incident. With few easy workarounds at that part of the Ship Canal, backups can spread quickly onto nearby approaches and connecting streets.

The Aurora Bridge is widely seen as one of Seattle's most stressful stretches of road. Drivers often describe the six-lane span as unforgiving, with little room for error when traffic tightens or a vehicle drifts out of its lane.

Avoiding the bridge altogether is the clearest move until traffic agencies reopen it. Even after the original blockage clears, congestion on Aurora and surrounding routes can linger well beyond the incident itself.

This report reflects early witness accounts and community reports; it had not been independently confirmed by police as of publication. Source.