Drivers brace for major closures on I-5, I-405, SR 520 and SR 99 this weekend

Drivers across western Washington should plan ahead this weekend as a series of closures brings delays across the region.

I-5 express lanes closed in Seattle all weekend

The I-5 express lanes in Seattle will close from 11 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday as the Revive I-5: Ship Canal Bridge Preservation project moves into its next phase.

Crews are installing permanent drainage pipes and access hatches beneath the upper bridge deck. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will close the express lanes to keep crews and drivers safe.

Drivers should expect increased congestion and longer travel times throughout downtown Seattle. Two right lanes also remain closed on northbound I-5 across the Ship Canal Bridge for the Revive I-5 project.

The closures will have a ripple effect, with heavy traffic on surrounding surface streets, highways, and I-405. Anyone heading into Seattle for Sunday’s Seahawks game should plan well ahead to arrive on time.

SR 520 eastbound closure

Drivers traveling between Seattle and Bellevue will face another closure this weekend, with eastbound SR 520 closed between I-5 and Montlake Boulevard from 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, until 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5.

Crews will continue removing sections of the old eastbound off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard and remove the old barrier on the existing SR 520 mainline. The work will prepare the highway for an upcoming traffic shift in both directions in 2027.

Eastbound SR 520 will remain open across Lake Washington, and drivers will still be able to enter from the Montlake Boulevard on-ramp. Only the section between I-5 and Montlake Boulevard will close.

Westbound SR 520 will remain open.

West Seattle access to South Columbian Way closed overnight

Drivers traveling between West Seattle and Beacon Hill won’t be able to access South Columbian Way from eastbound South Spokane Street late Friday into early Saturday.

The on-ramp from eastbound South Spokane Street to eastbound South Columbian Way will close from 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, until 5 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, while maintenance crews make ramp repairs.

The work may also require an overnight closure Saturday, Oct. 3.

SR 99 lane reductions on Aurora Bridge

Drivers crossing the Aurora Bridge should expect delays Saturday and Sunday mornings as crews conduct routine bridge inspections.

The two right lanes of southbound SR 99 across the bridge will close from 5:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. The two right lanes of northbound SR 99 across the bridge will close during the same hours Sunday, Oct. 4.

SR 99 tunnel overnight closure Friday

WSDOT will close both directions of Seattle’s downtown tunnel overnight Friday for regular maintenance, including fire systems testing, light repairs, road sweeping and drain cleaning.

The closure runs from 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, until 6 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, and covers both directions of SR 99 from north of South Spokane Street to south of Raye Street.

The Royal Brougham Way/Colorado Avenue South on-ramp to the northbound tunnel and the Sixth Avenue North on-ramp to the southbound tunnel will also close.

Lanes will begin closing at 8:30 p.m. Southbound drivers will exit at Harrison Street, while northbound drivers will exit at Alaskan Way South.

I-405/Northeast 85th Street interchange closures in Kirkland

In Kirkland, WSDOT crews will pave a section of Northeast 85th Street, requiring closures of the on- and off-ramps connecting the street to both directions of I-405.

The ramp closures run from 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, until 5 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, and again from 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, until 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5.

Northeast 85th Street will also close between Sixth Street and 120th Avenue Northeast during those times. Detours will be in place.

Southbound I-405 lane reductions and ramp closure in Tukwila

Anyone heading to SEA Airport on I-405 this weekend should plan for major delays approaching Southcenter between Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.

WSDOT will take advantage of the sunny weekend to continue paving as part of the I-405/Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes Project.

Up to two southbound I-405 lanes in Tukwila will close from 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, until 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4. The southbound I-405 HOV off-ramp to northbound I-405 will also close.

Nate Connors is a traffic reporter for KIRO Newsradio. Follow him on X. Read more of his stories here. Submit news tips here.

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