Once again, it’s time for cooler heads to prevail. No, it’s not time for another election. It’s time for the state Department of Transportation to clean the Agate Pass Bridge.

Expect single-lane closures across the bridge, with alternating traffic, between 8:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Feb. 13 -16, and again Feb. 21-24. Crews will not work on the bridge on Feb. 17 or over the Presidents Day holiday weekend.

“This work marks our continued and extensive efforts to maintain this 1950s-era bridge,” transportation department spokesman Doug Adamson reported. “Cleaning allows our specially-trained crews to look for any potential issues. We aim to find and fix items before they become a problem, ensuring continued use of this critical span that links Bainbridge Island and the Kitsap Peninsula.”

During previous cleanings, morning delays were often less than 15 minutes, with delays getting longer later in the day.

Here’s how you can avoid delays: Time your bridge crossings for before 8:45 a.m. and after 2:30 p.m.

Carpool. Delay or cancel discretionary trips. If you must take the ferry, consider using the Bremerton/Seattle or Kingston/Edmonds routes. And, if you absolutely need to cross the bridge during the period of work, plan extra travel time into your trip.

Meanwhile, we thank the Department of Transportation for the diligence in ensuring Agate Pass Bridge is safe and sound.