CHOKEPOINTS

The dreaded traffic term ‘Expect delays’ in play for Seattle this weekend

Aug 9, 2024, 1:10 PM

Seattle Traffic...

A long backup on I-5 in Seattle. (WSDOT/Twitter)

(WSDOT/Twitter)

Mariners fans and others who will be driving to or through downtown this weekend will face a few traffic challenges.

MERCER STREET OFF-RAMP:  Friday 10 p.m. – Monday 5 a.m.

  • The Mercer Street off-ramp from southbound Interstate-5 will be closed from the mainline and express lanes.
  • The express lanes, the northbound off-ramps, and all on-ramps at Mercer Street will remain open.
  • Contractors will install a concrete barrier separating the southbound express lanes exit lane from the mainline exit lane.
  • To complete this project WSDOT will need to repeat this closure next weekend.

SR 520 BRIDGE CLOSURE: Friday 11 p.m. – Monday 5 a.m.

  • Both directions of SR 520 will close between Interstate-5 to 92nd Avenue NE.
  • Drivers will not have access to Montlake from SR 520.
  • The Bike Trail will remain open all weekend.
  • Contractors will continue working on the Montlake Lid Project and the Annual Obliteride will take over the bridge on Saturday.
  • Next weekend WSDOT plans to close Montlake Avenue at SR 520, the following weekend the SR 520 bridge will close again.

SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT/WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE: Friday 10 p.m. – Monday 5 a.m.

  • All eastbound lanes and one westbound lane will close across the viaduct.
  • The northbound Interstate-5 off-ramp to West Seattle will close.
  • Drivers from West Seattle can still exit to northbound Highway 99 and 1st Avenue.
  • This is the second of five scheduled closings to address surface street and drainage repairs.

Be prepared and “expect delays.”

Nate Conners is a traffic reporter for KIRO Newsradio.

 

Chokepoints

washington drive, worst drivers...

Frank Sumrall

WA near dead last for overall driving in the U.S., latest study claims

WalletHub compared all 50 states and unfortunately found that Washington is the second-worst state to drive in.

21 hours ago

fatal crash...

Frank Sumrall

17-year-old driver causes fatal crash on I-5, shuts down highway for hours

Interstate 5 (I-5) was shut down for several hours due to a fatal crash before reopening 5 a.m. Friday morning.

23 hours ago

big rigs cover...

Chris Sullivan

New bill targets unsecured loads: Will big rigs finally be required to cover their cargo?

If it's illegal for a cooler to fly out of your pickup truck, why isn't it illegal when big rigs fail to cover or secure their loads?

2 days ago

Photo: Traffic in the Seattle area....

Julia Dallas

Amazon’s impact: New data reveals Friday traffic worse than pre-pandemic levels

INRIX, a firm that studies traffic, has been tracking data surrounding the impact of Amazon's five days a week in-office mandate on traffic in the Seattle area.

3 days ago

Photo: A crash blocked traffic north of Arlington....

Julia Dallas

WSP believes racing involved in deadly crash near Arlington, witnesses needed

The Washington State Patrol is looking for anyone who witnessed a deadly collision near Arlington on Monday.

3 days ago

Image: An outline of the SR 167 Completion Project that spans through Fife....

Nate Connors

Traffic this week: Bridge demolition in Fife brings closures on State Route 99

Beginning Tuesday evening, commuters on State Route 99 in Fife will have a 42-hour lane closure in the southbound direction.

4 days ago

The dreaded traffic term ‘Expect delays’ in play for Seattle this weekend