@wsdot
Instagram · Skit
@wsdot Look. We’re tired of being the ones to tell you NB I-5 in Seattle is closing. So we got @zach_c123 to do it instead. Thanks for taking this one, Zach! 😅 Sooo... now that World Cup games have wrapped in Seattle, we’re back on our bridgeness. That means a full closure of NB I-5 through downtown Seattle from 11:59 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday (July 10-13). This gives crews time and space to set up the long-term work zone, this time on the RIGHT two lanes of the Ship Canal Bridge. Note that on- and off-ramps between I-90 and Northeast 45th Street will begin closing at 9 p.m. Friday. Once the bridge reopens on Monday morning, those two right lanes will remain closed until the end of 2026. EXPRESS LANES: That also means the express lanes are switching back to operating northbound 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We know this is frustrating to southbound travelers, especially when you’re sitting in traffic and see express lanes that appear lightly used. These lanes are being managed as a system-balancing tool — available to absorb surges, incidents, or breakdowns in the northbound lanes as conditions change throughout the day. Their value isn’t measured only by how full they look but by the reliability they provide to the entire corridor over time. We also want to acknowledge this has been a rough year for people who rely on this bridge to get where they need to go. We’ll need to work on the southbound lanes in 2027, too. It’s not fun work, but it’s necessary work. Maintaining safe, reliable bridges keeps our state connected in the long term. Also, to Zach Charbonnet: You’re a natural. Hit us up if you ever want to exchange pads for a safety vest. We’re excited to see you back on the field this season! Go Hawks!
