Weekend bridge work to reduce lanes on northbound I-5| Traffic Advisory

Published 11:34 am Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Work to replace 26 worn and aging bridge expansion joints ramps up again for another round of closures on Interstate 5 through downtown Seattle.

This weekend, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will close all but a single lane on the northbound I-5 collector-distributor, which runs parallel to the main roadway between I-90 and Madison Street. The collector-distributor helps merge traffic from I-90 to I-5 and connect with downtown off- and on-ramps.

With several large special events in the area, such as the Sounders FC opener, the Seattle Kennel Club Dog Show, and the Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament, drivers will need to plan their trips in advance and expect significant delays.

“We can’t stress how important drivers are to making these weekend closures successful,” said WSDOT project engineer Aleta Borschowa. “Traffic keeps moving if folks pitch in to adjust their schedules, take alternate routes, carpool or use public transportation.”

Closure details:

10 p.m. Friday, March 7 until 5 a.m. Monday, March 10

• The South Dearborn Street on-ramp to northbound I-5 will be closed. Drivers will follow a signed detour. All other ramps will remain open.
• All lanes and ramps on the northbound I-5 collector-distributor will be closed to move construction barriers:

  o 11:59 p.m. Friday – 4 a.m. Saturday

  o 11:59 p.m. Sunday – 4 a.m. Monday

Tools for drivers

• Subscribe to the Seattle Area News email update.
• Visit our What’s Happening Now website for a 24-hour highway construction look-ahead.
• Get traveler information on your mobile device at www.wsdot.com/Inform/mobile.htm.
• Find information on Seattle area traffic at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle.
• View traffic cameras at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic.
• Find travel alerts at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts.
• Call 511 for traffic updates.
• Tune to highway advisory radio and watch electronic highway signs for information.

Nearly 50 years of constant traffic has weakened the steel expansion joints connecting the concrete spans that make up the interstate. Replacing these joints provides a smoother ride and improves safety by preventing emergency lane closures caused by pieces of failing metal joints popping out of the highway.

This is the fifth of nine weekend closures to replace two dozen worse-for-wear expansion joints on I-5 near the I-90 interchange. For more information, please visit the project website: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/SeattleBridgeRepair/