I-5/Yesler Way to Northgate Vic - Pavement, Deck, Joints and Drainage

Project overview

WSDOT built Interstate 5, Washington’s main freeway, in the 1960s. The busiest section runs through Seattle with almost 240,000 vehicles traveling across the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge daily. This critical highway now requires major preservation and repairs.

Working with our contractor, Atkinson Construction, we have prioritized repairs on the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge, which last had a major preservation effort about 40 years ago. The bridge deck shows considerable wear. Crews have completed more than 200 emergency repairs since 2019, causing unplanned traffic disruptions.

Through the Revive I-5: Ship Canal Bridge Preservation project, WSDOT will repair and resurface the upper bridge deck, replace concrete and aging bridge expansion joints, improve drainage and address other maintenance issues. Major construction begins in July 2025, lasting about four weeks and will continue over the next two years, ending in 2027. This planned preservation effort will help extend the life of the bridge and prevent more unplanned traffic disruptions.

What to expect

Preservation efforts start in summer 2025. We’re committed to helping you get to and through Seattle so you can experience everything the region has to offer – just remember to plan ahead. During the northbound closures and lane reductions, the express lanes will run 24/7 in the northbound direction. 

• June 20 – 23: Northbound I-5 lane reductions across the Ship Canal Bridge 
  Friday night, June 20, to Monday morning, June 23, northbound I-5 will be reduced to two lanes across the Ship Canal Bridge to complete drainage work necessary to prepare for the four-week lane reduction starting July 21.
• July 18 – 21: Full northbound I-5 closure from I-90 interchange to Northeast 45th Street
  Friday night, July 18, to Monday morning, July 21, northbound I-5 will be closed from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street to set up the work zone for the four-week lane reduction.
• July 21 – Aug. 15: Northbound I-5 lane reductions across the Ship Canal Bridge
  Starting Monday morning, July 21, to Friday night, Aug. 15, northbound I-5 across the Ship Canal Bridge will be reduced to two lanes, 24/7 for four weeks. The speed limit will be reduced to 50 mph.
• Aug. 15 – 18: Full northbound I-5 closure from I-90 interchange to Northeast 45th Street
  Friday night, Aug. 15, to Monday morning, Aug. 18, northbound I-5 will be closed from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street to remove the work zone.
• Aug. 18: All northbound I-5 lanes reopen
  Early Monday morning all northbound I-5 lanes will be open to traffic.

Fall/winter: Several southbound I-5 two-lane reductions coming
Work will shift to southbound I-5 lanes this fall/winter. Dates to be announced soon.

Getting to downtown Seattle
To access downtown Seattle during the full closures, people need to use Edgar Martinez Drive or the Dearborn, James or Madison Street exits (see alternate route map). All other northbound I-5 exits to downtown Seattle will be closed.

People traveling north of downtown Seattle should use the express lanes or other alternatives. 

People should expect delays in both directions on I-5 during these closures and lane reductions (see map of lane reductions). 

During this summer’s closures, contractor crews from Atkinson Construction will:

• Repair and resurface up to 20% of the northbound Ship Canal Bridge deck.
• Partially repair five expansion joints.
• Improve drainage.

2026 and 2027
Expect months-long northbound lane reductions in 2026. During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, work will pause and all lanes of I-5 will be open. In 2027, expect months-long reductions of southbound I-5 lanes. Crews will need weekends-long full directional closures of I-5 to install and remove the work zones. 

During lane reductions, I-5 will reduce to two lanes across the Ship Canal Bridge in the direction of the work. The I-5 express lanes will operate 24/7 in the same direction to ease congestion. Drivers should expect regional traffic impacts, so plan ahead and take transit, if you can. We will share more specific closure dates later this year. 

Know before you go
We encourage you to ride transit – it’s the best, most reliable way to get around – and youth 18 and under ride free. 

You can expect longer travel times, so consider adjusting when you travel, if you can.