Much to the delight of late rush-hour drivers, the Washington State Department of Transportation has adjusted times in which the State Route 520 bridge can be raised for passing boats.

Updated rules, which take effect 7 a.m., Thursday, July 5, prohibit drawspan openings 6:30 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. weekdays to better coincide with heaviest traffic times. Previously, drawspan openings were not allowed 6 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. weekdays. The changes come as a result of negotiations with the U.S. Coast Guard. Public pressure on WSDOT to revise the rules increased after an opening just after 9 a.m. May 24 lead many drivers to become stranded on the bridge, while still having to pay a $2.80 toll.

“These revised rules reflect the feedback we received from drivers and updated traffic data,” said SR 520 Program Director Julie Meredith. “We greatly appreciate drivers’ patience while we gathered the information and worked with the Coast Guard to find a balance between drivers and the boating community that is allowed access on public waterways.”

The Coast Guard initially revised the rules governing SR 520 drawspan openings April 1, when construction barges building the replacement floating bridge blocked the eastern navigation channel and prevented boats between 45 and 64 feet tall from using it. Boaters with vessels up to 45 feet tall can still use the western navigation channel.

Since April 1, the bridge has been opened 59 times, said WSDOT consultant David Gitlin. Of those 59 openings, seven occurred during the hours now prohibited following the changes.

“We’ve worked closely with WSDOT to make sure we met the needs of boaters and drivers,” said Coast Guard Bridge Administrator Randall Overton. “These updated rules will help minimize disruption to the morning and afternoon commutes without adversely affecting boaters.”

The new drawspan opening rules are expected to be in place until August 2015. Frequent travelers are encouraged to sign up for email and text alerts about bridge openings.