Seattle drivers should expect increased traffic this weekend due to scheduled sporting events and planned construction work. Tomorrow, traffic volumes may rise as the city hosts games for the University of Washington football team, Seattle Reign, and the Seattle Mariners. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), lane reductions on southbound I-5 over the Ship Canal Bridge will begin at 11 p.m. as part of the Revive I-5 project, which is scheduled to continue for six weekends. Additionally, all lanes of southbound I-405 between Bellevue and Renton will close at 11:59 p.m. for the weekend.
The planned lane reductions and closures have been scheduled with the aim of reducing overlap between game-day traffic and construction activity. WSDOT Northwest Region Administrator Brian Nielsen noted that the timing is coordinated with major events to allow traffic to clear before work begins. However, these combined factors are expected to impact travel throughout the city. Southbound I-5 drivers will experience delays from the Northeast 45th Street/Northeast 50th Street off-ramp to the SR 520 Interchange, with restrictions remaining in place around the clock until 5 a.m. on Monday, October 13. The I-5 express lanes will operate southbound throughout the weekend, though drivers are advised to follow HOV-only access points and observe vehicle height restrictions.
The shutdown of I-405, part of the I-405/Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes Project, aims to hasten drainage installation, paving, and traffic shifts necessary to usher in a new center work zone. A detour route will be in place, subsidizing the closure from Coal Creek Parkway Southeast to Northeast 30th Street, though the current plan could change, contingent on inclement weather or an additional Mariners playoff game. The I-5 work, however, is set to proceed regardless.
Additional weekend road work is scheduled on I-90 and State Route 18 as preservation and widening projects continue. On westbound I-90, up to three right lanes and the Front Street on-ramp will be closed from 7 p.m. tomorrow through 8 a.m. the next Sunday. A signed detour will guide drivers to the 270th Avenue Southeast/Southeast High Point Way on-ramp. On eastbound SR 18, the right lane between mileposts 6 and 7, along with the Auburn-Black Diamond Road on- and off-ramps, will close at 8 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday and next Sunday. These lanes will reopen each morning at 5 a.m. The closures are scheduled to allow for paving and joint replacement work.
