Mother Nature throws weekend I-5 road work into disarray
Jul 8, 2016, 11:32 AM | Updated: 1:14 pm
The critical roadwork on southbound I-5 that was weather dependent just folded to Mother Nature.
Because of the rainy forecast this weekend, the Washington State Department of Transportation canceled work that would have narrowed I-5 to two lanes in SeaTac and Des Moines.
Find out more about upcoming road projects
“When we have major work like what is planned for southbound I-5 we want to be sure everything can be completed prior to the Monday morning commute,” project engineer Mike Askarian said. “Striping and paving require dry weather and this weekend’s forecast does not look promising.”
Five weekends-worth of road closures were expected to begin Friday. Traffic backups were essentially guaranteed by the state.
Though the work isn’t starting yet on I-5, drivers can still expect delays along I-405, eastbound SR 520, and eastbound I-90.
Eastbound I-90 traffic between Rainier Avenue South and Bellevue Way Southeast will be routed to the express lanes from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Rainier Avenue on-ramps to eastbound I-90 will be closed.
In addition to the closure, the Mercer Island Summer Celebration is scheduled for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Seattle Sounders play the LA Galaxy at CenturyLink Field at noon on Saturday.
Seattle Storm plays Indiana at KeyAerna on Sunday at 4 p.m.
