The One Where You Think it’s an April Fools’ Joke about Revive I-5 (but it isn’t)

By: RB McKeon

We get it – after many changes on the I-5 Yesler to Northgate project, when we say we've got some work to do this summer you might think this is a well-timed April Fools' joke – but it isn't. As negotiations with our contractor continue, we have identified approximately four weeks of critical construction activities in 2025 as the best way to complete the project by the end of the 2027 construction season.

Last time we talked about this project, we shared that the long-term linear lane closures originally planned for 2025 were pushed to 2026 to align construction spending with available funding. That's still true. While we pivoted away from long-term lane closures in 2025, a shortened season of work this summer will allow crews to understand the condition of the bridge below the surface and get back some of the time we lose next season when most work across the region is paused during the FIFA World Cup.

What's happening in 2025

We have four weeks of lane closures on northbound I-5 at the Ship Canal Bridge and two weekend closures of northbound I-5 between I-90 and Northeast 45th Street happening between Friday, July 25 and Monday, Aug. 25.

During this summer's closures, contractor crews from Atkinson Construction will:

• Repair and resurface up to 20% of the northbound Ship Canal Bridge deck.
• Partially repair five expansion joints.
• Replace bridge drain inlets.

Full closures and lane reductions

To complete this critical preservation work, construction crews will:

• Close all lanes of northbound I-5 from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street from Friday night, July 25 to early Monday morning, July 28. During the closure, crews will set up work zone barriers, restripe lanes and replace bridge drain inlets.
• When northbound I-5 reopens on July 28, it will be reduced to two lanes for approximately four weeks, with the speed limit reduced to 50 mph.
• Close all lanes of northbound I-5 for a second weekend from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street from Friday night, Aug. 22, to early Monday morning, Aug. 25, when all lanes reopen. During the closure, crews will remove the work zone, restripe lanes and replace bridge drain inlets.

There's never a good time to do this work

Recognizing the difficulty of closing lanes on I-5 during Seattle's busy summer, WSDOT scheduled this work to avoid major holiday weekends and peak events, such as Fourth of July, Labor Day and Ichiro Suzuki's Hall of Fame celebration at T-Mobile Park.

And, to help mitigate the effect on traffic:

• The I-5 express lanes will remain open in the northbound direction around-the-clock during the lane reductions.
• Drivers can use I-90 exits, the collector-distributor lanes or alternate routes to navigate closures.

Why now?

The I-5 Ship Canal Bridge carries nearly 200,000 vehicles a day, and its deck has reached a point where delays in repairs will only lead to more frequent and severe rehabilitation needs. The summer 2025 work allows WSDOT to:

• Prevent more emergency repairs that cause unexpected traffic disruptions.
• Stay on track for the 2026-27 bridge rehabilitation project, avoiding conflicts with the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
• Gather critical data on the bridge's condition below the surface to better prepare for future work in 2026 and 2027.
• Evaluate the effect on traffic of a northbound closure, especially with express lanes running northbound around-the-clock during this period.

This isn't an April Fools' joke, and we promise, it's for a good reason. There's never a perfect time to close lanes on I-5, but these four weeks of work help keep us on track for the bigger preservation project ahead.

We'll keep working with our partners, sharing updates, and making sure you know before you go.

25 years later, Belle Williams still grieves the loss of her husband killed in a work zone collision on US 12

By: Tina Werner

They say it gets easier with time. It hasn’t for Belle Williams. She has grieved the loss of her husband every day for 25 years.

Sam Williams was a highway maintenance worker based out of Morton in southwest Washington. On Feb. 22, 2000, Sam kissed Belle and their four children goodbye before leaving for his shift. It was the twins' birthday, and their party would be later that night. Sam was flagging in a marked work zone along US 12 near Mossyrock – simply doing his job – when he was hit by a speeding and distracted driver. Sam never made it home. He later died in the hospital. Belle stayed by his side, even after he passed. He was 41 years old.

Belle Williams (center) is surrounded by her four children with a photo of Sam Williams. Sam was killed in 2000 when a distracted driver entered his work zone on US 12 near Mossyrock. Law enforcement cited the causing driver for excessive speed.

“He is not with us physically anymore, but he is always with us,” Belle said.

Sam’s passing left a profound impact on those around him. Those closest to him described him as a devoted father, husband and community member. His absence has meant missing out on pivotal family moments—father-daughter dances, lawnmower races with his son and graduations.

Sam was a valued member of the Morton maintenance shed, loved his community and served as a volunteer firefighter. Belle described his death as tragic and something she hopes no other family ever has to endure.

In addition to being a dedicated highway maintenance worker with us, Sam Williams was also a volunteer firefighter in his community. He is seen here coming out of a smoke-filled home in Morton, receiving a fresh oxygen tank.

On the day of the work zone crash, Belle remembers having a bad feeling when Sam kissed them goodbye.

“He hugged us and even sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to the twins,” said Belle. “He was a great dad, and we had no reason to believe he wouldn’t be home that night to celebrate our girls’ birthday.”

While mourning the loss of her spouse, Belle faced yet another challenge—a cancer diagnosis. But she fought and beat it, embodying resilience. Her children were her motivation to stay strong.

Sam and Belle had four children together. Thanks to WSDOT’s Memorial Foundation, a nonprofit organization supported largely by employee contributions, the Williams children received college scholarships. The foundation has provided financial support to 292 families, totaling $547,000, helping with medical expenses, assistance for families of fallen workers and support for injured employees.

Belle said she and the children are grateful for the scholarships they received.

“Going to college was one of Sam’s many goals for his children. The WSDOT Memorial Foundation helped make that possible,” said Belle. Their son, Sam Jr. works for us in Morton doing highway maintenance work. The Morton facility is the same facility his dad, “Big Sam”, worked out of.

Belle (left) with her daughter Kelsey (right) pose for a photo in March 2025 at the Columbia Tower in Seattle for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Firefighter Stair Climb.

Belle is now retired from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office, but the grief still lingers.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Sam’s death. Work zone employees are spouses, parents, children, siblings and friends—they all deserve to go home safely at the end of their shift.

Unfortunately, many workers have faced close calls, serious injuries or death due to drivers' actions in work zones. Crews work mere inches from speeding traffic and workers often recount incidents where quick action prevented tragedy.

We’re seeing more speeding and erratic behavior in work zones– which puts everyone at risk.

• In 2024, the total number of work zone-related crashes increased by 17 percent, rising from 1,377 crashes in 2023 to 1,607 crashes.
• The largest increase was in serious injury crashes, which rose by 36 percent from 2023 to 2024.
• It’s not just road crews at risk in work zones: Nearly 96 percent of people injured in work zone crashes are drivers, their passengers or nearby pedestrians. It is in everyone’s interest to pay attention and drive safely in work zones.

Most work zone crashes are preventable. According to the Washington State Patrol, the top three reasons for work zone collisions in 2024 were:

1. Following too closely
2. Excessive speed
3. Inattention/distracted driving

While even one loss is too many, we now have better tools to keep our workers and the traveling public safe in work zones. We collaborate with construction teams, unions, fellow state agencies and legislative partners to enhance work zone safety for everyone. We adopt proactive approaches to work zone design. As new technology is developed, we explore new safety equipment and tactics to minimize worker exposure to traffic.

Additionally, the phased rollout of the Work Zone Speed Camera Program in active construction, maintenance and crash zones will begin this year. This program, built in partnership with the Washington State Patrol and other safety-focused agencies, aims to prevent tragedies. It starts with one camera and will expand to six by this summer.

Belle holds a framed photo of her husband Sam Williams. This year is the 25th anniversary of his death. Belle hopes to raise awareness about the importance of work zone safety.

The goal of the program is simple: save lives. And Belle is hopeful it will do just that.

“If it saves one life, it will be worth it,” says Belle.