Expect weekend traffic delays as Seattle’s Revive I-5 project looks to finish up

Despite the bad weather in the forecast, the state plans to go forward with the Revive I-5 project this weekend.

Starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday, only the far left lane of southbound I-5 Highway will be open through Spokane Street through Monday morning.

I-5 Tacoma project hoping for good weather to finish in July

“This is the continuation of the work to replace the expansion joints on the stretch of freeway between I-90 and the Spokane Street area,” Chris Sullivan, the traffic reporter for KIRO Newsradio, said.

Two weekends ago, crews started replacing the expansion joints along this stretch of I-5. The “Revive I-5″ work is scheduled to take place for at least the next 12 weekends, as long as weather allows.

Revive I-5 exists on the notion that Washington state’s main freeway was built in the 1960s and needs major preservation and renovation work, according to SDOT. Revive I-5 projects will include pavement repair and full replacement, expansion joints, and seismic work to strengthen bridges against earthquakes. These projects will occur over the next few years.

The construction work is weather-dependent due to the polyester concrete that crews are using to repair the highway.

This type of concrete is more durable than typical concrete, but is also more susceptible to moisture and can only set properly if the weather is dry.

I-5 expansion joint repair will hamper your summer driving

“Now, you won’t be able to use the I-5 express lanes at all this weekend,” Sullivan said. “They’re going to close at 7:30 p.m. tonight and won’t reopen until Monday morning. This is part of the 520 project where the state’s adding a reversible direct access ramp between 520 and those I-5 express lanes.”

The 99 tunnel in Seattle will also be closed in both directions tonight. This is a routine monthly closure to test all the systems. It will close at 10 p.m. tonight and open at 6 a.m. Monday.