The One With the Big Closure (And the Next Four Weeks)

 By: RB McKeon

No monkey business here — Revive I-5 is moving into the next phase. This weekend’s closure sets the stage for four weeks of work on the Ship Canal Bridge to help keep Seattle moving.

No monkey business here

We’ve been talking about this for months, and now it’s here. We’re swinging into the next phase of Revive I-5 with a full northbound closure this weekend, July 18 – 21, through Seattle. This work sets the stage for four weeks of lane reductions across the Ship Canal Bridge. It’s the kind of preservation work that keeps this vital connection through the heart of Seattle strong and moving for years to come.

What’s happening?

Starting at 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 18, through 5 a.m. Monday, July 21, all lanes of northbound I-5 between I-90 and NE 45th Street will close. This closure gives crews the space they need to restripe lanes and build a protective work zone on the Ship Canal Bridge. Once in place, that work zone allows the next big phase of preservation to get underway.

During the northbound I-5 closure from July 18–21, drivers heading north through Seattle will be routed onto the express lanes. Exits to Edgar Martinez Drive, I-90 eastbound, and downtown Seattle via Dearborn, James, and Madison streets will remain open. The first northbound express lanes exit is at NE 42nd Street in the University District.

But wait, there’s more

This isn’t over Monday morning. From Monday, July 21, through Friday, Aug. 15, northbound I-5 across the Ship Canal Bridge will be reduced to two lanes, 24/7. These lane reductions give our crews the space they need to safely complete this preservation work. The northbound express lanes will remain open 24/7 through Aug. 18 to help keep people moving through Seattle.

From July 21 through Aug. 15, northbound I-5 will be reduced to two lanes 24/7 between SR 520 and NE 45th Street for bridge deck and expansion joint repairs on the Ship Canal Bridge.

For southbound travelers, especially those used to relying on the morning express lanes, now’s the time to plan ahead. Southbound express lanes won’t be available in the mornings during this four-week stretch. That may mean adjusting your route, your timing or considering other options like transit.

This isn’t just a WSDOT project. It takes collaboration across agencies, organizations and communities to help keep Seattle moving through this kind of work.

We’ve been working closely with our friends at the City of Seattle, SDOT, King County Metro, Sound Transit, the Downtown Seattle Association, the Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce and many others to help people get where they need to go while this important preservation work is underway. Together, we’ve reviewed traffic control strategies, adjusted schedules, and shared information to help employers, travelers and communities plan ahead for this region wide impact.

Once this four-week stretch wraps up, we’ll need one more full closure of northbound I-5 from the night of Aug. 15 through the morning of Aug. 18, to remove the work zone, restripe the lanes and return the freeway to its usual configuration.

We know you’re not on a break (with I-5)

Summer is one of the best times to be in Seattle. The weather, the events, the festivals, the parks – this is when people want to be out and about, not stuck in traffic or figuring out detours. We know this isn’t easy. Closing lanes on I-5 through the heart of the city is disruptive. It changes routines, adds time to trips and creates challenges. But this is necessary work to keep the Ship Canal Bridge in good condition and avoid larger disruptions down the road.

Knowing before you go is the best way to stay ahead of closures and avoid any surprise detours.

Stay connected:

• Project webpage: wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/revive-i-5-ship-canal-bridge-preservation
• WSDOT app: Real-time traffic updates and tools
• Social media: Follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Reddit

A little planning now helps keep things moving later. This is the one with the big closure(s). The one with the lane reductions. The one that sets the stage for the future. And with your help and our partners’ help, we’re getting it done.