Northbound Interstate 5 through Seattle, including the Ship Canal Bridge, is completely closed this weekend from Interstate 90 up to Northeast 45th Street while crews remove a temporary Revive I-5 work zone. The shutdown started Friday night and is set to last through the weekend, with state crews planning to reopen the mainline northbound lanes early Monday morning. Drivers are being warned to expect ramp closures, detours and changes to express lane operations throughout the shutdown.
WSDOT: Weekend Work Clears Lanes For World Cup Crowds
According to WSDOT, crews are using the closure to pull out barriers and wrap up repairs on the two left northbound lanes of the Ship Canal Bridge so the mainline can be fully open in time for FIFA World Cup matches. The agency’s project schedule pauses left lane repairs during the tournament window, then shifts construction back to the right two northbound lanes once the games are over. Earlier Revive I-5 project phases outlined how those lane reductions would roll out.
Ramps, Closures And Express Lane Shuffle
Local reporting from KIRO 7 details the timing. Many northbound on ramps and off ramps began shutting down Friday evening, with the full mainline closure kicking in just before midnight. Most of those ramps are expected to reopen early Monday. KIRO 7 also notes that the northbound express lanes will run in the northbound direction only throughout the weekend to move traffic away from downtown.
World Cup Timing And Regional Crowd Control
Regional agencies are tying the construction schedule directly to the World Cup rush. King County and Sound Transit estimate that roughly 750,000 visitors will pass through the Seattle area over the course of the tournament, and planners coordinated so the I-5 mainline lanes will be open on match days. WSDOT has shared video of the work and the closure schedule on social media, including the original update on Facebook.
How To Get Around While I-5 Is Shut
Travelers should consider transit, ride shares or alternate routes such as I-90 to I-405 or SR-99 to get around the closure, the Seattle Department of Transportation notes. Agencies are urging drivers to use trip planners and real time traffic maps before heading out, leave extra time for delays and avoid downtown if they can while the mainline lanes are closed.
What Comes Next On The Ship Canal Bridge
Per WSDOT, crews plan to return the weekend of July 10 to reset the work zone in the two right northbound lanes. Long term two lane reductions are expected to continue through the end of 2026. Future weekend closures will depend on weather and may be rescheduled if crews are unable to complete striping or other work that requires dry conditions.
