Dr. Jose Rizal Bridge Repainting Project

Updated: March 2025

About the Project 

We’re repainting the historic Dr. Jose Rizal Bridge, a steel bridge built in 1911, to ensure it remains functional and safe for future generations. 

The Dr. Jose  Rizal Bridge is located southeast of downtown Seattle on 12th Ave S. It crosses over S Dearborn St, and I-90, connecting the International District to Beacon Hill.

Why is this project important?

• Regular maintenance, like repainting, prevents rust from building up and corroding the steel, keeping the bridge strong for the years to come.
• While the Dr. Jose Rizal Bridge have been repainted in the past, this is the first time that we’ll fully remove existing layers of paint. This will allow us to update the bridge with new eco-friendly paint.
• Repainting the Dr. Jose Rizal Bridge also helps keep this historic structure in good condition, and reduces the need for larger, more disruptive maintenance projects in the future, ensuring the bridge remains accessible and reliable for all.

What are we doing?

Removing old paint

• The bridge’s original paint is decades old and contains lead, which was commonly used in the past to prevent rust and damage. However, as this paint ages and flakes, it could release lead into the environment.
• We’ll safely remove the old paint and use a sealed containment tent under the bridge. This tent will catch old paint, rust, and debris and keep it out of the air and off the ground.

Applying new eco-friendly paint

• Once the old paint is removed, we will repaint the bridge using environmentally friendly paint.
• We’ll apply five layers of paint, matching the bridge’s current color.
• The new paint will also protect the steel bridge from corrosion and is designated to withstand Seattle’s damp, rainy weather for decades to come.

How will this work affect you?

Work on the top deck of the bridge on 12th Ave S

• 12th Ave S will remain fully open, both car and bike lanes (north and southbound).  
• We will keep at least one sidewalk open.
• This work won’t affect bus routes or bus stops.
• We will place detour signs to guide people through work areas.

Work at the intersection of S Dearborn St and 12th Ave S

• S Dearborn St will remain fully open, except during nighttime work and bike barrier removal activities.
• We will keep the sidewalk open, except during occasional nighttime work.
• Occasional work will happen on S Dearborn St at night between from 7 PM and 6 AM.
  • We will keep at least one lane open in each direction (east and westbound). 
  • This work won’t affect bus routes or bus stops.
  • Flaggers will direct traffic and help people walking, driving and biking navigate detours safely.
• We’ll temporarily remove a section of the west and eastbound bike barrier under the bridge.
  • This will allow crews to enter and exit the project staging area.
  • The staging area entrance will function as a driveway during construction.
  • We’ll keep the bike lane open except during barrier removal, installation of the containment tent under the bridge, and when reinstalling the barriers in 2026.

Work under the bridge on I-90

• Temporary closures of traffic lanes under the bridge.
• We’ll share updates on our website when these closures occur.

Business Access

• The repainting of Dr. Jose Rizal Bridge will not affect access to businesses in the Chinatown International District.

Project details

Northern Section (Owned by SDOT)  

• We will fully repaint this part of the bridge, including the steel components, arches, girders, floor beams, columns, and top deck surfaces.  

Southern Section (Owned by the Washington State Department of Transportation)  

• Here, we will paint only the top surfaces, including the poles and railings.  

Cultural Relevance

The bridge, originally named the 12th Avenue South Bridge, connects Seattle’s International District and Beacon Hill, two neighborhoods with a rich history as Asian American, working-class communities.

Why is it named after Dr. Jose Rizal? In 1974, local Filipino-American leaders Vic Bacho and Trinidad Rojo campaigned to rename the bridge to honor Dr. Jose Rizal. This renaming, along with the dedication of the nearby Dr. Jose Rizal Park, celebrates Seattle’s Filipino community and Rizal’s lasting influence. 

Cultural Significance: In 1982, the bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places under its original name, 12th Avenue South Bridge. 

Who was Dr. Jose Rizal? Dr. Jose Rizal (1861-1896) was a Filipino leader and writer who worked for independence from Spanish rule. Through his writings, he exposed injustice under colonial rule and inspired Filipinos to stand up for change. Even after his execution in 1896, Rizal remains a symbol of Filipino pride and resistance.

Reference: Seattle Civil Rights & Labor History Project. (n.d.). Report on the Dr. Jose Rizal Bridge and Dr. Jose Rizal Park. University of Washington. 

Project Schedule

• Construction will start in April and last through 2026.
• Construction schedules are subject to change and depend on factors such as weather and availability of crews and materials.  

Materials

• Fact sheet, 2025