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by Joel Moreno,KOMONewsReporter
SEATTLE — Drivers heading through Seattle will need to adjust their travel plans starting this weekend as major construction resumes on Interstate 5, bringing months of lane closures and congestion tied to the state’s largest highway preservation project.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) plans to fully close northbound I-5 between Interstate 90 and NE 45th Street from late Friday night through early Monday to establish a long-term work zone on the Ship Canal Bridge.
PREVIOUSLY | Revive I-5 work to restart on Ship Canal Bridge, months-long lane closure ahead
Once the interstate reopens, the two left lanes of northbound I-5 across the bridge will remain closed through early June as part of the Revive I-5 project, which aims to extend the life of the aging structure.
“This is the largest preservation project the state has ever undertaken,” Transportation Secretary Julie Meredith said during a press conference on Tuesday. “When we invest in preservation, we increase the safety, reliability, and useful life of our infrastructure.”
Construction will focus on repairing the bridge deck, resurfacing lanes, and improving drainage. Crews are expected to work around the clock, requiring a permanent work zone to remain in place for safety, Meredith said.
“This will take a major adjustment for most travelers,” she said. “We’re asking the public to plan ahead and pack their patience over the next two years.”
State officials said work will pause in early June, and the work zone will be removed temporarily to accommodate FIFA World Cup matches in Seattle. Construction will resume after the tournament with additional long-term lane reductions later this year and into 2027.
Transportation agencies expect traffic congestion to spill over onto city streets and alternate routes.
Officials are urging drivers to adjust travel times, carpool, or use public transit to minimize delays as the Revive I-5 project enters its second year.
During a previous closure in July, Sound Transit reported an 11% increase in weekday ridership and a 26% jump on weekends.
Metro Transit plans to increase bus service and monitor traffic conditions in real time to respond to congestion and major events, said Ernest Kandilige, deputy general manager for King County Metro.
“As construction begins, we will have extra buses standing by and in service where they are needed,” Kandilige said. “Transit is always your best option.”
During construction, the I-5 express lanes will operate northbound only around the clock, eliminating their usual southbound morning commute direction.
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