The construction of the current Fremont Bridge was necessitated by the construction of the Lake Washington Ship Canal which linked Lake Washington and Lake Union to Puget Sound. The bridge needed to be high enough to accommodate ocean-going vessels passing through the canal. Because naval vessels would be using the canal, the U.S. War Department required that the bridge be 30 feet above water and include a draw that would give a 150-foot opening. The ceremonial opening of the Lake Washington Ship Canal and boat parade was on July 4, 1917.
