Monday, April 20, 2026

Shift happens! Get ready for the new (temporary) normal on SR 520

By: Tony Black

 SR 520 Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke Lid Project update

This humorous GIF shows a bus driver shifting gears with a bus full of passengers bracing themselves for the rough ride

Look – we know construction can bring a lot of change to your commutes. With construction happening for the Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke Lid Project and Revive I-5 Project, getting around the Seattle area can be challenging. That’s why we want to keep you updated on some major shift(s) that’s about to go down. We want full transparency: the only shifty business will be with our ramps, not our information!

This humorous GIF shows a passenger in a car hiding from site – relating to shifty business

Continue reading to learn more about:

  • Our upcoming ramp shifts near I-5 and Montlake Boulevard
  • A 10-day long eastbound SR 520 to Montlake Boulevard ramp closure
  • How to contact the project team with questions and comments

Shift #1: Northbound I-5 to eastbound SR 520 ramp shift

Our first phase of work will affect people traveling northbound on I-5 towards eastbound SR 520.

During the weekend of May 8-11, crews will close the northbound I-5 ramp to eastbound SR 520. During the closure, we’ll move traffic barriers, add lane striping and prepare the new temporary off-ramp for travelers.

This map shows the location of the open and closed ramps between I-5 and SR 520
Between 10 p.m. Friday, May 8 and 6 a.m. Monday, May 11, travelers on northbound I-5 will not be able to take the ramp to eastbound SR 520.

On your left! New traffic patterns for northbound I-5 travelers

This GIF shows a person on a bicycle telling pedestrians he is approaching them from their left

On the morning of May 11, people traveling from northbound I-5 to eastbound SR 520 will be on a new ramp that will put them in a new section of SR 520. This will be a major shift from before, and drivers need to be prepared.

Instead of entering SR 520 in the right lane, the new ramp will go over and around existing ramps. Travelers will now enter eastbound SR 520 in the left lane.

The diagram is a birds eye view of the existing versus future locations of the I-5 ramps to eastbound SR 520
Map showing how the new northbound I-5 to eastbound SR 520 ramp will interact with the existing southbound I-5 ramp. Travelers coming from northbound I-5 heading to eastbound SR 520 will now enter the highway on the left side instead of the right, as it is today.

What to expect

  • On your left! Travelers on the temporary ramp will now enter eastbound SR 520 in the left lane instead of the right lane.
  • Follow the leader: The ramp from southbound I-5 to eastbound SR 520 will not change during this traffic shift. However, travelers on this ramp should now expect traffic on their left side instead of on their right side.
  • Get ready for curveballs: The temporary ramp will have a tighter turn than the current ramp, and travelers should exercise caution when driving in the area.
  • Shift happens: Northbound I-5 to eastbound SR 520 drivers wanting to exit onto Montlake Boulevard will now need to change lanes.

This will be the first of two traffic shifts we have planned for this spring. Northbound to eastbound drivers – catch you on the flip side (of SR 520)!

Shift #2: Eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard long-term closure and ramp shift

A few weeks after we finish our first traffic shift, we’ll start preparing to shift eastbound SR 520 travelers as they head towards Montlake Boulevard. This will require us to close the eastbound off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard for ten days while we finish building the new temporary ramp and begin removing the existing ramp.

This GIF is a scene from the Office when the office manager says” Why don’t you explain this to me like I am an eight-year-old

We have two big closures planned before we can shift traffic.

  • Round 1 – Eastbound SR 520 closed for a full weekend: From 10 p.m. Friday, May 29 to 6 a.m., Monday, June 1, we will fully close eastbound SR 520 between I-5 and Montlake in Seattle.
  • Only the segment of eastbound SR 520 between I-5 and Montlake Boulevard will close.
  • Eastbound SR 520 across Lake Washington will stay open.
  • Round 2 – Eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard remains closed: We will keep the eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard closed through early morning on Monday, June 8. 
  • During Round 2 of construction, traffic from I-5 entering eastbound SR 520 will not be able to exit onto Montlake Boulevard and will continue across Lake Washington. Drivers will pay the SR 520 bridge toll.
  • Those who want to avoid the toll or access Montlake Boulevard from I-5 must use alternate routes.

That’s a lot of dates to track! Let’s simplify this.

This GIF is a scene from the Office when the office manager says” Why don’t you explain this to me like I’m five

From Friday night, May 29 to Monday morning, June 8, eastbound SR 520 travelers will NOT be able to get off at Montlake Boulevard. Travelers on northbound I-5 wanting to get to Montlake will need take alternative exits on I-5.

During these closures, we will install new traffic barriers and lane striping on the new ramp. We will also begin removing some sections of the existing off-ramp to make room for future permanent structures.

On the morning of Monday, June 8, we’ll have completed our site preparation, and we’ll shift eastbound traffic onto a new, temporary off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard.

What’s the deal with this new off-ramp?

Well, to give us enough room for new permanent ramps and structures, the new temporary off-ramp will need to begin much earlier on the bridge than the existing off-ramp. See below for what that will look like.

This is an aerial view of SR 520 with showing where the current and future off-ramps. The new temporary off-ramp is longer and south of the existing off-ramp.
An aerial view of the new temporary off-ramp and the closed existing off-ramp.

What to expect

  • Spring into action earlier: Eastbound SR 520 travelers taking the exit to Montlake Boulevard should be prepared to exit earlier than usual and pay attention to additional signs.
  • Don’t lose your shift: Please be patient with your fellow travelers as they navigate both of our traffic shifts. An earlier exit means an earlier decision about switching lanes – keep calm and travel on!

Travelers heading eastbound on SR 520 that don’t exit onto Montlake Boulevard will continue onto the SR 520 floating bridge. The floating bridge is a tolled facility, and drivers headed eastbound will be charged a toll for crossing it.

This GIF shows two people in a vehicle and the passenger is pointing where the lake is and the driver is telling the passenger to stop yelling at him.

Shifts about to get real!

Here’s how the two ramp shifts will work for eastbound travelers.

this is a diagram of eastbound SR 520 with the existing and future ramps called out. The new ramp from NB I-5 is in a new location north of the existing one and the new off-ramp to Montlake Blvd is longer and south or the existing ramp.
A map showing the new eastbound ramps at the I-5 and Montlake interchanges on SR 520.

By shifting these ramps, we can make way for new permanent infrastructure that will help support the new Portage Bay bridges and the Roanoke Lid. This will be a big step toward helping us finish the project.

When the project is completed in 2031, there will be new, permanent off-ramps at the I-5 and Montlake Boulevard interchanges.

Questions?

Visit the SR 520 Construction Corner website for additional information on construction activities and impacts.

For questions, please call our 24-hour hotline at 206-319-4520 or email us at SR520bridge@wsdot.wa.gov.

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