Preparations are underway for a series of lane closures on the northbound I-5 Ship Canal Bridge this summer, as announced by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). According to WSDOT, these closures are part of an effort to preserve the aging infrastructure and keep the Yesler to Northgate project on schedule for its 2027 completion. WSDOT, along with contractor Guy F. Atkinson Construction, has identified a four-week period in 2025 as the most effective time to analyze and repair the bridge's deck.
The plan involves a series of significant activities, including the repair and resurfacing of 20% of the northbound bridge, fixing five expansion joints, and replacing bridge drain inlets. The first full closure is set to begin on Friday night, July 25, and end early Monday morning, July 28, when crews will start to set up work zone barriers and reconfigure lanes. "While we pivoted away from long-term lane closures in 2025, a shortened season of work this summer will allow crews to understand the condition of the bridge deck below the surface and get back some of the time we lose next season when work across the region is paused during the FIFA World Cup," WSDOT Northwest Region Administrator Brian Nielsen said in a statement obtained by WSDOT.
When the northbound I-5 reopens on July 28, drivers should expect it to be reduced to two lanes for approximately four weeks, with a reduced speed limit of 50 mph. A second full closure of all northbound lanes from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street is scheduled from Friday night, August 22, to early Monday morning, August 25. These closures aim to minimize the impact on traffic during peak summer events and travel times. WSDOT ensures that strategies are in place to mitigate congestion, including keeping the I-5 express lanes open in the northbound direction around-the-clock during the lane reductions and providing alternate routes.
The closures will help WSDOT stay on track for the planned 2026-27 bridge rehabilitation project and prevent more emergency repairs that could occur if the bridge were to be left unchecked. Gathering data this summer is also crucial for planning future repairs and understanding the traffic impacts of northbound closures. "Work of this scope requires a huge effort on the part of everyone," Nielsen told WSDOT. "Taking advantage of four weeks of warm, dry weather this year sets us and you up for success in future construction seasons. In the end we will have a safe, reliable bridge for years to come."
WSDOT emphasizes collaboration with the city of Seattle, law enforcement, emergency services, transit providers, and the public to ensure readiness for the construction period. For real-time travel information during the construction, WSDOT has recommended using its mobile app and Travel Center Map, along with signing up for email updates.
