Drivers should plan ahead for major disruptions on northbound I-5 starting this weekend, as the Washington State Department of Transportation begins four weeks of construction on the Ship Canal Bridge.
Here’s what to expect:
- Weekend Closure #1: From Friday night, July 18, through Monday morning, July 21, northbound I-5 will be fully closed between the I-90 interchange and Northeast 45th Street.
- Lane Reduction: Starting Monday, July 21, through Friday night, Aug. 15, the freeway will be reduced to two lanes across the Ship Canal Bridge.
- Weekend Closure #2: From Friday night, Aug. 15, through Monday morning, Aug. 18, northbound I-5 will again be fully closed from I-90 to NE 45th Street.
- Reopening: All lanes are expected to reopen by Monday morning, Aug. 18.
During both full closures, drivers heading to downtown Seattle should use exits for Edgar Martinez Drive or Dearborn, James, or Madison streets. Keep in mind that express lanes do not have exits to downtown Seattle—the first exit is at NE 42nd Street in the University District.
To help alleviate traffic during construction, express lanes will run northbound 24/7, and on-ramps at Columbia, Cherry, and Pine streets—typically reserved for high-occupancy vehicles—will be open to all.
The construction is part of a WSDOT project to repair aging expansion joints and bridge deck panels on the Ship Canal Bridge. Travelers should expect delays and consider alternate routes or transit options where possible.
Photo: SDOT