Seattle — Starting in 2025 and continuing through 2027, there will be lane reductions on I-5 as part of the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) Revive I-5 project. Crews will be working on the northbound I-5 lanes from SR 520 to Northeast 45th Street, including the Ship Canal Bridge.
Here’s a breakdown of the upcoming changes:
2025
- Lane Reductions: Northbound I-5 will be reduced to two lanes between SR 520 and Northeast 45th Street for nine months. The work will start in the inside lanes, then shift to the outside lanes after the first half of the project.
- Closures: Expect three full weekend closures of northbound I-5 between SR 520 and Northeast 45th Street.
- Speed Limits: Reduced to 50 mph in the work zone.
- Express Lanes: The I-5 Express Lanes will usually be open to northbound traffic during construction.
- Ramp Closures: The SR 520 on-ramp and the Harvard on-ramp to northbound I-5 will be closed for about 25 days each.
2026
- Lane Reductions: Southbound I-5 will be reduced to two lanes from SR 520 to Denny Way for nine months (except June and July due to the FIFA World Cup).
- Closures: There will be four full weekend closures for southbound I-5 to set up or remove barriers and work zones:
- Spring: Set up double-lane work zone.
- June: Remove barriers for FIFA World Cup.
- July: Shift to double-lane work zone in the outside lanes.
- Fall: Remove barriers and reopen all lanes.
- Express Lanes: The I-5 Express Lanes will be open to southbound traffic during weekdays (5 a.m. to 11 p.m.) and weekends (8 a.m. to 11 p.m.), sometimes 24 hours.
- Ramp Closures: Some ramps between SR 520 and Denny Way will be closed for about 25 days each, but not two consecutive ramps at the same time.
2027
- Lane Reductions: Southbound I-5 will again be reduced to two lanes from Northeast 50th Street to Mercer Street for nine months, including the Ship Canal Bridge.
- Express Lanes: The I-5 Express Lanes will be open to southbound traffic on the same schedule as in 2026.
- Weekend Closures: Expect three full weekend closures of southbound I-5:
- Spring: Set up double-lane work zone.
- Mid-Summer: Shift work zone to the outside lanes.
- Fall: Remove barriers and reopen all lanes.
- Ramp Closures: Around five ramps between Northeast 50th Street and Mercer Street will be closed for 25 days each.
During all closures, expect reduced speed limits and narrowed lanes over the Ship Canal Bridge to allow space for crews to work.