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

Project overview

In January 2025, WSDOT postponed long-term I-5 lane closures between downtown Seattle and Northgate, to align construction spending with available budget. WSDOT is currently working with its contractor, Atkinson Construction, to identify the best way to complete this necessary preservation work over the next three years.

In the near term, WSDOT has approved a few critical construction activities on the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge that will occur over the course of four weeks in summer 2025. Starting July 25, WSDOT contractor crews will conduct critical bridge deck rehabilitation and drainage work on the Ship Canal Bridge. This work will include two full weekend closures of northbound I-5 between I-90 and Northeast 45th Street and four weeks of around-the-clock closure of the two left lanes of northbound I-5 across the Ship Canal Bridge.

The Ship Canal Bridge is critical to the region moving almost 200,000 vehicles each day. The bridge is 60 years old and the deck has not seen a preservation effort in 40 years and is showing signs of significant deterioration. WSDOT has completed over 200 emergency repairs on the bridge since 2019, work that is unplanned and can unexpectedly impact traffic throughout the region. As the deck continues to age, failures will become more frequent and more extensive, resulting in more unplanned travel impacts.

What to expect

Although months-long lane closures have been postponed until 2026, travelers can expect short-term lane reductions and weekend closures in 2025.

We are planning a four-week two-lane reduction across northbound Ship Canal Bridge, preceded and followed by weekend-long full northbound closures to set up and remove the work zone. 

• Close all lanes of northbound I-5 from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street from Friday night, July 25, to early Monday morning, July 28. During the closure, crews will set up the work zone, restripe lanes and replace bridge drain inlets.
• When northbound I-5 reopens on July 28, it will be reduced to two lanes for approximately four weeks, with the speed limit reduced to 50 mph.
• Close all lanes of northbound I-5 for a second weekend from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street from Friday night, Aug. 22, to early Monday morning, Aug. 25, when all lanes reopen. During the closure, crews will remove the work zone, restripe lanes and replace bridge drain inlets.

During this time, July 25 to Aug. 25, the I-5 Express Lanes will operate 24/7 in the northbound direction. Drivers should also expect increased congestion in the southbound direction through the Seattle area.

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.
• Replace bridge drain inlets.