SEATTLE — Travelers in the greater Puget Sound area and those headed to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport should plan for longer, less predictable trips this weekend as several major construction closures and lane reductions overlap from Friday to Monday.
The work will affect travel on Interstates 5 and 405 as well as State Routes 520 and 99. Drivers are urged to expect traffic congestion, allow extra time and check the conditions of their route before setting out.
“I will definitely walk as much as possible and stay away from these areas as much as possible,” said driver Eden Seifu.
Closure of I-5 express lanes through Seattle
The I-5 express lanes through Seattle will be completely closed from Friday, October 2 at 11 p.m. until Monday, October 5 at 5 a.m. Crews working on the Revive I-5: Ship Canal Bridge Preservation project will use the closure to access the underside of the bridge for drainage improvements, specially timed ahead of the rainy season.
“Water on the road is always a challenge, and by updating the drainage system, it’s going to help us have less of it,” said Tom Pearce with WSDOT.
During construction, the I-5 express lanes were only opened northbound. The northbound I-5 mainline will continue to be reduced to two lanes across the Ship Canal Bridge, meaning all drivers heading north from Seattle will be crammed into just two open lanes this weekend.
“I think that’s probably going to be the biggest pinch point and, of course, it’s going to generate traffic to the surrounding areas,” said Greg Snyder, a Seattle driver. “You try to plan it. You can never plan it perfectly.”
Closure of eastbound SR 520 between I-5 and Montlake Boulevard
Eastbound SR 520 between I-5 and Montlake Boulevard in Seattle will close from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday.
All I-5 traffic attempting to enter eastbound SR 520 will be required to use alternate routes. The Montlake Boulevard on-ramp to eastbound SR 520 will remain open.
Crews will use the closure to prepare sections of the existing bridge and remaining portions of the former Montlake Boulevard exit ramp for removal as part of the SR 520 Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke Lid project.
Given the closure’s location between Seattle and the East Side, some drivers said it wasn’t always easy to find alternate routes.
“The way we’re located between Lake Washington and Puget Sound, you don’t have a lot of choices to get from one place to another,” said Douglas Downey of Sammamish. “If you can’t make it, then don’t go!”
I-405 lane reductions and HOV ramp closure in Tukwila
Up to two lanes will be closed on southbound I-405 in Tukwila from 7 p.m. Friday to 1:30 p.m. Sunday.
The southbound I-405 HOV off-ramp to northbound I-405 will also be closed, affecting travel to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Crews will perform paving as part of the I-405/Renton widening and express toll lanes project in Bellevue.
I-405/Northeast 85th Street interchange and road closures in Kirkland
The I-405 northbound and southbound on- and off-ramps at Exit 18 in Kirkland will close from 10 p.m. Friday, October 2 to 5 a.m. Monday, October 5. Northeast 85th Street will also be closed between Sixth Street and Northeast 120th Avenue. Detours will be put in place.
Crews will pave Northeast 85th Street as part of the I-405/Northeast 85th Street Interchange and Inline BRT station project.
Nighttime closure of the SR 99 tunnel
The SR 99 tunnel will close from 10 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday for routine maintenance.
Lane reductions on the Aurora Bridge
Lanes crossing the Aurora Bridge will be reduced for maintenance work.
Both right southbound lanes will close from 5 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 3.
Both right northbound lanes will close from 5 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 4.
Gn bussni
