CHOKEPOINTS

Traffic alert: Revive I-5, light rail closures this weekend

Jun 22, 2024, 2:30 PM | Updated: Oct 10, 2024, 12:49 pm

Photo: Plan on hefty Seattle traffic this weekend whether you plan to drive or take the light rail....

Plan on hefty Seattle traffic this weekend whether you plan to drive or take the light rail. Revive I-5 and light rail work is going on. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)

Plan on hefty delays and traffic around Seattle this weekend whether you plan to drive or take the light rail.

We’ll start with the roads first.

Revive I-5 to cause Seattle traffic

Drivers commuting between Seattle and Tukwila will have difficulty getting through this weekend thanks to the Revive I-5 project.

Washington Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) Amy Moreno said in an email that crews will close two lanes of Interstate 5 (I-5) south from Albro Place to mid-Boeing Field to replace expansion joints.

The roadwork starts Friday at 10 p.m. and will last around the clock until 5 a.m. Monday.

“So now we’re getting down to the last few weekends,” spokesperson Tom Peare told KIRO Newsradio. “We’re going to replace the concrete approaching the Military Road overpass southbound and then we’re gonna be back for a couple more weekends to replace expansion joints on both the southbound and northbound Military Road overpasses.”

If this is your route, expect delays of up to 20 minutes during high-peak travel times.

‘This is an ongoing effort:’ King County officers report 36 DUIs in one weekend

Sound Transit light rail tunnel will be closed this weekend

“So tomorrow and Sunday, the downtown (light rail) stations will be closed,” spokesperson John Gallagher told KIRO Newsradio. “We’ll be running a cross-bridge shuttle between Capitol Hill and Sodo stations. And this is because we’re going to be doing some rail replacement work at the International District station.”

He explained the tracks are showing wear and tear earlier than expected, so they need replacing before it gets worse.

Gallagher said the agency wants to get the work done before the Lynwood station opens.

“There are going to be a lot more passengers. And we don’t want to impact more passengers than we need to,” he said. “And we know this is going to be a disruption. But it’s work that we really want to get done. While we have that opportunity.”

He said shuttle buses will take riders to all the light rail stops. Plan on the buses running every 15 minutes or so.

You can read more of Micki Gamez’s stories here. Follow Micki on X, formerly known as Twitter, or email her here.

Chokepoints

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?

22 hours 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.

2 days ago

washington drive...

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.

2 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.

2 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.

3 days ago

Spanaway Loop Road...

Chris Sullivan

Chokepoints: Spanaway Loop Road closure to continue due to sewer project challenges

Spanaway Loop Road, a popular route for people trying to avoid congestion, has been closed since the middle of October.

3 days ago

Traffic alert: Revive I-5, light rail closures this weekend