Drivers in King County will face a major traffic crunch heading into the weekend, with several highway closures planned across the region.
Drivers in King County will face a major traffic crunch heading into the weekend, with several highway closures planned across the region.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) described this weekend of construction work as one of the busiest of the summer. Work will affect I-405, I-5, SR 520 and SR 202, as well as several local roads.
Many of the closures will begin Friday and continue through Monday.
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The surge in activity comes as summer construction ramps up following a pause during FIFA World Cup matches held in June and July.
“It’s very stressful. Traffic backs up. Usually got to wake up two hours ahead of time for work,” said Fernando Mora, a commuter who regularly travels through the area. “It takes from my sleep and stresses me out the whole week.”
One of the most significant impacts will be a full closure of northbound I-405 between North Southport Drive/Northeast Sunset Boulevard and Coal Creek Parkway Southeast from 11:30 p.m. Friday until early Monday morning.
Crews will excavate drainage crossings, replace pavement, and shift traffic as part of a widening and toll-lane project. Officials warned of heavy congestion approaching Renton.
In Kirkland, ramp closures at Northeast 85th Street (Exit 18) will also continue through the weekend. Both northbound and southbound I-405 on- and off-ramps, along with Northeast 85th Street between Sixth Street and 120th Avenue Northeast, will close from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday.
Detours will be posted as crews continue work on a roundabout and bus rapid transit station.
Jodi Stimson, another driver, said congestion often fuels aggressive driving.
“You watch everybody else, and they are trying to cut in between this one and that one,” she said. “They are agitated, and they are ready to get out of there. It’s like the end of the world.”
On SR 520, the bridge across Lake Washington will remain open, but eastbound lanes from I-5 to Montlake Boulevard will close from 7 p.m. Saturday until 11 a.m. Sunday.
Drivers will need to take alternate routes while crews repair an expansion joint.
Further east, SR 202 in Fall City will close just east of the SR 202/SR 203 roundabout from 5 a.m. Friday until 9 p.m. Monday.
Detours onto I-90 could add 45 minutes or more to trips. Crews plan to rebuild a road embankment along the Snoqualmie River.
“I’m just floored how everything is just slowed down. It’s crazy,” said Ted O’Brien, a resident of Eastgate. “I think people are angry too. People drive angry. You know, everybody is in a hurry.”
Additional pressure on the region’s roadways comes from ongoing work on I-5 across Seattle’s Ship Canal Bridge, where lanes are reduced to two in each direction through the end of the year. The express lanes remain open northbound around the clock.
Transportation officials warned that closures on I-405 could push more traffic onto I-5, while the SR 520 closure and downtown events could lead to significant backups on the eastbound I-90 bridge Saturday night.
Officials urged drivers to plan ahead, allow extra travel time and expect delays in unfamiliar locations.
With multiple projects underway, travel conditions may shift week to week as construction progresses, making trips longer and less predictable across King County.
