Here's how to get around the I-5 north closure in Seattle
Full rundown of this weekend's Revive I-5 closures
Revive I-5 struggles through Seattle are back in full force this weekend.
SEATTLE - A large stretch of northbound I-5 will be closed in Seattle, and traffic is expected to be significantly impacted. Here's how to get around the construction if you plan to travel north.
Timeline:
Northbound I-5 will be closed from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street in the University District starting at 11:59 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15 through 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 18.
Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead, expect significant delays and prepare for higher-than-usual congestion on alternate routes throughout the city. Keep reading to find the route that works best for you.
Here are your best alternative routes for this weekend's NB I-5 closure in Seattle
There is good news for travelers heading through Seattle on I-5: Even though the northbound I-5 mainline will be fully closed this weekend, the I-5 express lanes will remain open in the northbound direction.
Northbound I-5 express lanes will be open in Seattle
The northbound I-5 express lanes will be open in Seattle from Friday at 11:59 p.m. to Monday at 5 a.m. However, using these lanes limits access to several exits through Downtown Seattle.
Express lanes on-ramps will be open to all vehicles during the closure at Columbia, Cherry and Pine streets.
People traveling on I-5 north who want to go downtown should use the exits at Edgar Martinez Drive, Dearborn, James or Madison streets.
FOX 13 Seattle Traffic Anchor Adam Gehrke warns that heavy traffic on the northbound I-5 express lanes will likely put pressure on I-5 heading into the city, as well as on SR 99.
Revive I-5: How to get around this weekend's closure in Seattle
All northbound lanes of Interstate 5 will close this weekend as crews work to repair the 60-year-old Ship Canal Bridge. The closure is expected to cause major traffic delays, with officials urging drivers to plan ahead and consider alternate modes of transportation.
SR 99, Aurora Avenue North
Using Aurora Avenue North, or SR 99, is a common alternative to I-5. Drivers should expect significant congestion, especially during peak hours.
Depending on your destination, other arterial streets – such as Westlake Avenue North, Eastlake Avenue East or other local streets in the University District – could be options. However, these will likely be very slow; for example, one lane in each direction on Westlake Avenue was recently converted into freight and bus or business access and transit lanes.
These minor arterials are better suited for shorter trips within the city, rather than through traffic.
Elliott Avenue West to 15th Avenue West through Ballard
Drivers who want to avoid the I-5 express lanes and SR-99 can travel north by taking Elliott Avenue West to 15th Avenue West over the Ballard Bridge. This route passes through the Ballard and Crown Hill neighborhoods before reconnecting with northbound I-5 at Northgate.
SR 520 to Montlake Boulevard Northeast
Drivers traveling from the Eastside – such as Kirkland and Bellevue – who need to get on northbound I-5 may consider taking SR 520 and exiting at Montlake Boulevard Northeast in the U-District. Be aware that these arterial routes may be especially slow during peak travel times.
What you can do:
More travel information can be found on WSDOT's website, and their real-time traffic map also provides up-to-date travel alerts.
Why is I-5 closed in Seattle?
Big picture view:
The closure is part of WSDOT's "Revive I-5" project, which aims to repair, resurface and extend the life of the Ship Canal Bridge, along with addressing other maintenance issues along I-5.
The Source: Information for this story comes from the Washington State Department of Transportation.
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