The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is resuming significant preservation work on Seattle's Ship Canal Bridge as part of the ongoing Revive I-5 project. This new phase begins Friday, January 9, at midnight, bringing full northbound I-5 closures and long-term lane reductions that will impact thousands of commuters.
Drivers should prepare for extensive delays, particularly during peak travel times. The project focuses on critical infrastructure improvements, but these will necessitate major traffic changes for several months.
Key Takeaways
- Northbound I-5 will fully close between I-90 and NE 45th Street from January 9-12.
- Two left lanes of the Ship Canal Bridge will remain closed until June.
- Express lanes will operate northbound only, 24 hours a day, for five months.
- Southbound I-5 drivers will lose express lane access during this period.
- Traffic backups of up to 10 miles were common during similar 2025 closures.
Weekend Full Closure for Northbound I-5
Beginning Friday, January 9, at midnight, all northbound lanes of I-5 will close. This closure spans from I-90 in downtown Seattle to Northeast 45th Street in the University District. The full closure will remain in effect until 5 a.m. on Monday, January 12.
This weekend work allows contractors to establish a safe work zone on the Ship Canal Bridge. Once the weekend closure ends, the bridge will be reduced to two lanes for an extended period.
Closure Details
- Start: Friday, January 9, Midnight
- End: Monday, January 12, 5 a.m.
- Affected Area: Northbound I-5 from I-90 to NE 45th Street
Ramp Closures and Detours
Multiple on- and off-ramps leading to northbound I-5 will close progressively starting at 9 p.m. on January 9. These ramp closures will affect access points from I-90 up to Northeast 45th Street.
Drivers heading to downtown Seattle on northbound I-5 can use the Edgar Martinez Drive exit, or the Dearborn, James, or Madison Street exits. For those traveling north of downtown, options include staying in the freeway’s left lane to use the express lanes or taking eastbound I-90 to northbound I-405.
"Drivers should obey speed limits and be aware that there may be new configurations throughout the work zone from north of Mercer Street to just past the northbound I-5 off-ramps to Northeast 45th Street/Northeast 50th Street," WSDOT advises.
Specific ramp closures include:
- 9 p.m. Jan. 9: Dearborn Street, Cherry Street, University Street.
- 10 p.m. Jan. 9: Westbound I-90, Olive Way, Mercer Street.
- 11 p.m. Jan. 9: Eastbound I-90, Harvard Avenue East, Westbound State Route 520.
Additionally, the westbound SR 520 off-ramp to Roanoke Street will close from 10 p.m. Friday, January 9, until 5 a.m. Monday, January 12. Mainline northbound I-5 off-ramps to Seneca Street, Olive Way, Mercer Street, Lakeview Boulevard Eastbound, SR 520, and Northeast 45th Street/Northeast 50th Street will also close from 11:59 p.m. on Friday, January 9, to 5 a.m. on Monday, January 12.
Five Months of Reduced Lanes on Ship Canal Bridge
Immediately following the weekend-long closure, the two left lanes of northbound I-5 across the Ship Canal Bridge will remain closed. This lane reduction is expected to last until June 5. During this extended period, the bridge will operate with only two northbound lanes.
The express lanes will be a key alternative for northbound traffic. They will operate northbound-only 24 hours a day for the next five months. This means southbound I-5 drivers will not have access to the express lanes during this time, a significant change from regular operations.
Previous Impact
During a similar express lane closure in the fall of 2025, traffic officials observed significant congestion. It was common to see 10-mile back-ups during peak drive times, indicating the potential for severe delays in the coming months.
Express Lane Access and Exits
Drivers using the northbound I-5 express lanes will find specific exit points. There are no exits from the express lanes to downtown Seattle. The first northbound exit is Northeast 42nd Street in the University District.
Other northbound express lane exits include Lake City Way Northeast, and Northeast 1st Avenue Northeast/Northeast 103rd Street. The express lanes return to the mainline I-5 at Northgate. There is no access to SR 520 from the express lanes.
The Revive I-5 Project Scope
The preservation work on the Ship Canal Bridge is a critical component of the larger Revive I-5 project. Crews will focus on repairing and resurfacing the upper bridge deck. They will also replace aging expansion joints and improve the bridge's drainage system. Other essential maintenance issues will be addressed to extend the lifespan and safety of the vital structure.
The entire project is scheduled to conclude with another weekend-long closure from June 5-8. This final closure will allow crews to reopen all lanes of the northbound freeway, restoring normal traffic flow.
- Project Goals:
- Repair and resurface upper bridge deck
- Replace aging expansion joints
- Improve drainage
- Address other maintenance needs
Commuters are encouraged to plan routes, consider alternative transportation, and allow extra travel time. Real-time traffic updates will be crucial during this period of extensive roadwork.
