The express lanes will run northbound 24/7 during the closure and in the months following as two lanes will remain closed.
SEATTLE — This weekend the northbound lanes Interstate 5 will fully close over the Ship Canal Bridge ahead of months-long construction that will impact traffic.
The northbound lanes will close Friday from Interstate 90 to NE 45th Street in the University District, so crews can set up the construction zone.
The Washington State Department of Transportation had previously said the work over the weekend could be postponed if it’s too wet, but no postponement has been announced as of Friday morning.
On Monday, the freeway will reopen, but the two left lanes will remain closed to vehicles until the FIFA World Cup in June. More long-term lane closures will be in place after the World Cup games end in July through the end of the year.
The I-5 Express Lanes will be northbound 24 hours a day for the closure over the weekend, and while the lane closures are in place throughout the year.
This effort marks the second year of Revive I-5 work over the Seattle bridge. The work is focused on preserving and extending the life of the bridge through removing and replacing the concrete and completing structural repairs, WSDOT said.
Work in 2026 will focus on the northbound bridge deck, and the focus will shift to the southbound lanes in 2027. The project is expected to be completed at the end of next year.
Transportation officials acknowledge that traffic disruptions and impacts are expected in the coming months as they undertake this major project.
“We’re asking everyone to consider choosing alternate routes, carpooling, adjusting travel times or using transit to help keep everyone moving,” said Secretary of Transportation Julie Meredith.
Seattle transportation officials encourage public transit use to navigate the city during the closure.