Northbound I-5 over Seattle’s Ship Canal Bridge will be fully closed this weekend for construction, and crews say the work will continue even with heavy rain in the forecast.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) says the closure will begin at 11:59 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, and continue through 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 18. All northbound lanes will be shut down starting near I-90 as part of the ongoing “Revive I-5” preservation project.
Although an atmospheric river is expected to soak the region Friday, WSDOT says the work — which includes drainage improvements, safety barrier removal, and restriping — will go forward as planned.
Alternate Routes and Express Lanes
Drivers heading north of downtown can use the I-5 express lanes, which will run in the northbound direction only through early Aug. 18. However, there will be no northbound express lane exits into downtown.
The express lanes’ Cherry/Columbia streets on-ramp, normally HOV-only, will be open to all drivers during the closure. Travelers headed downtown should use exits for Edgar Martinez Drive, Dearborn Street, James Street, or Madison Street.
Ramp Closures
All on- and off-ramps to northbound I-5 north of the express lane entrance to Northeast 45th Street will close Friday night and reopen at 5 a.m. Monday. On-ramp closures will roll out at various times Aug. 15:
- 9 p.m.: Dearborn Street, Cherry Street, University Street
- 10 p.m.: Westbound I-90, Olive Way, Mercer Street, Westbound SR 520 off-ramp to Roanoke Street
- 11 p.m.: Eastbound I-90, Westbound SR 520, Harvard Avenue East
Off-ramps at Seneca Street, Olive Way, Mercer Street, Lakeview Boulevard, and Eastbound SR 520 will be closed from 11:59 p.m. Aug. 15 to 5 a.m. Aug. 18.
Looking Ahead
This closure is part of a multi-year preservation effort on the Ship Canal Bridge. Later this year, southbound traffic will be reduced to two lanes over several weekends, with dates still to be announced.
In 2026, northbound traffic will face four months of lane reductions, followed by a nine-month southbound lane reduction in 2027.
The Seattle Department of Transportation is adjusting traffic signal timing at key choke points to help drivers, but officials warn that delays are still likely.
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