Revive I-5 on Ship Canal Bridge to end 2 months ahead of schedule

For nearly a full year, Seattle commuters have dealt with lane restrictions, full closures, ramp closures, and the coveted express lanes open northbound only because of the Revive I-5: Ship Canal Bridge Preservation project. That’s all about to change. And well ahead of schedule.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced Wednesday that it has moved up its completion date to the weekend of Oct. 30, two months ahead of schedule.

It is important to note that this updated completion date remains weather-dependent. Some remaining work and the removal of the work zone require dry conditions. If the weather does not cooperate, the long-term lane reductions will remain in place until crews have a suitable weekend to complete the work.  

Weekend closure to end major Revive I-5 restrictions for the year

Removal of the work zone will require a weekend-long full closure of northbound I-5 from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street. Work zone removal activities include reconfiguring lanes, picking up pinned barriers, and restriping lanes and shoulders. Once pickup is complete, major scheduled Revive I-5 closures will conclude for the year, and the I-5 express lanes will return to normal operations. 

Some work will continue beyond this milestone, and people should continue to expect some overnight closures of mainline I-5, lane reductions, and early closures of the express lanes, as crews continue with bridge maintenance and drainage improvements on the underside of the Ship Canal Bridge.

Crews will return to the Ship Canal Bridge in 2027 to work in the southbound lanes. No exact start date has been issued, but WSDOT expects this to begin in late winter 2027.

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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