The bridge is 344 feet (105 m) long, and was designed by Carl F. Gould, one of the original architects of the University of Washington campus.

The Montlake Cut was constructed at a narrow isthmus that had been used as an east–west portage by indigenous Coast Salish people; its name in Lushootseed is stəx̌ʷugʷił ("carry a canoe").

A bridge was constructed over the canal and its set of locks; a larger replacement was later proposed to carry streetcars to the University of Washington campus on the north side in time for the Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition in 1909.

A temporary structure was built for the exposition and replaced with a suspension bridge for foot traffic in 1910 as construction on the wider and deeper Montlake Cut began.

[7] The first bridge in its place was a makeshift walkway made from a series of barges, set up by graduate manager Dar Meisnest to allow football fans to cross for the Washington/Dartmouth game in 1920.

The permanent bridge was opened on June 27, 1925, a month ahead of schedule and as the centerpiece for a local parade that drew thousands of residents.

Normal bridge opening restrictions Monday through Friday except federal holidays differs here than all the rest of the drawbridges on the Lake Washington Ship Canal.

[19] Additionally, the draw may only open on the top and bottom of the hour from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. [19] Further navigation restriction can be found within the Code Federal Regulations and the Notice to Mariners.