Travelers should expect congestion and longer, less predictable trips as construction affects I-5, I-405, SR 520, and SR 99.
Drivers across the Puget Sound region could be in for a challenging weekend of travel as several major highway closures and lane reductions overlap from Thursday, Oct. 1, through Monday, Oct. 5.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is warning travelers to expect congestion and longer, less predictable trips as construction affects Interstate 5, Interstate 405, State Route 520 and State Route 99.
The work includes weekend-long closures of the I-5 express lanes in Seattle and a section of eastbound SR 520, along with construction on I-405 in Tukwila and Kirkland.
Work on SR 99 will also close the tunnel overnight and reduce lanes on the Aurora Bridge.
Travelers headed to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport could also be affected.
I-5 express lanes closed all weekend
The I-5 express lanes through Seattle will close from 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, until 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5.
Crews working on the Revive I-5 project will use the closure to access the underside of the bridge for drainage improvements.
The express lanes have only been open northbound during construction. Northbound I-5 will remain reduced to two lanes across the Ship Canal Bridge.
Eastbound SR 520 closure in Seattle
Eastbound SR 520 will close between I-5 and Montlake Boulevard from 11 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday.
Drivers coming from I-5 who want to reach eastbound SR 520 will need to find another route. The Montlake Boulevard on-ramp to eastbound SR 520 will remain open.
Crews will prepare portions of the existing bridge and the old off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard for removal as part of the SR 520 Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke Lid Project.
I-405 lane reductions could affect airport trips
Up to two lanes of southbound I-405 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, which WSDOT says could affect trips to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Crews will be paving as part of the I-405/Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes Project.
I-405 interchange closure in Kirkland
The northbound and southbound I-405 ramps at Northeast 85th Street, Exit 18, in Kirkland will close from 9 p.m. Thursday until 5 a.m. Friday and again from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday.
Northeast 85th Street will also close between Sixth Street and 120th Avenue Northeast. Detours will be in place.
Crews will pave Northeast 85th Street as part of the I-405/Northeast 85th Street Interchange and Inline BRT Station Project.
SR 99 Tunnel and Aurora Bridge closures
The SR 99 Tunnel will close from 10 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Saturday for routine maintenance.
Drivers using the Aurora Bridge will also encounter lane reductions during the weekend.
The two right southbound lanes will close from 5 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. The two right northbound lanes will close during the same hours Sunday.
WSDOT is urging travelers to check conditions for their entire route before leaving and allow extra time. With several projects happening at once, the agency says congestion could show up in places and at times drivers do not normally expect.
Some of the work is weather-dependent and could be rescheduled if it rains.
