Fast, reliable & cost effective Equipment Transport

Plan ahead. The ship canal bridge will enter a deck preservation phase that shifts work timing and staging, and carriers should expect changing lane patterns and traffic delays.

This effort focuses on keeping the canal bridge sound while cutting long-term impacts. Most months-long lane closures now start in 2026, but 2025 includes targeted overnight and weekend work that teams can schedule around.

WSDOT will briefly reopen all lanes in early June through mid-July 2026 to support major events, a key window for moving tall or heavy loads. The bridge’s structure stays reliable, yet the road surface has needed many fixes, so the region will see sustained activity to extend corridor life.

Logistics planners and people moving freight should use real-time bridge clearance and trip planning tools for updates, coordinate timing with partners, and expect extra travel time where lanes and staging change.

What’s Changing on I-5’s Ship Canal Bridge and Why It Matters Now

WSDOT shifted its most intensive schedule to 2026 so crews can focus on the deck and keep the project within budget. That pivot means 2025 will emphasize planning, setup, and targeted repairs instead of long, continuous closures.

Revive I-5 pivot: schedule shift, scope focus, and funding realities

How the timing works and what to expect

The contractor may perform overnight work, short weekend closures, or limited lane reductions this year to prepare for the full preservation effort. These brief windows help crews set traffic controls and staging areas without major disruption.

• WSDOT reported nearly 200 emergency repairs since 2019 and will keep responding to urgent issues to keep traffic moving.
• Funding limits narrowed the scope to deck preservation as the top priority to maximize safety and longevity.
• Build slack into schedules: temporary lane adjustments and short closures are likely in the coming months.

“WSDOT will share real-time updates via its travel map, newsletters, and social channels.”

Updates will be frequent. Coordinate with transit partners and check official channels so time-sensitive moves can avoid unexpected closures and delays.

Oversize Shipping Reroutes from I-5 Seattle Construction Projects

Planned lane shifts and directional changes will alter how tall and heavy moves cross the ship canal corridor this season.

Northbound impacts

Starting spring 2025, two northbound lanes on the ship canal bridge close 24/7 for about nine months. The express lanes will operate northbound-only to help preserve capacity.

What to do: plan earlier departures, stage equipment off-route, and coordinate pilot cars for the i-5 ship canal crossing. Verify permit windows since narrowed northbound lanes can slow convoys and extend travel time.

Southbound sequences

In 2026, work reduces southbound to two lanes between the canal bridge and Denny Way; in 2027 similar reductions will extend to Mercer. Southbound express lanes open during some phases to aid flow.

Sustained lane reductions can affect escort timing and permit limits. Build extra buffers for slow-moving convoys and confirm whether express lanes are viable for your vehicle class.

Weekend/full closures and ramp work

Expect full directional closures on some weekends to set or swap zones. Ramp paving and intermittent closures can force detours away from downtown seattle; common alternates include I-405 or SR 99 where allowed.

• Pre-clear alternate routes and ramp geometry with permitting agencies.
• Document route surveys for tall loads: check temporary barriers, narrowed lanes, and shifted gore points.
• Communicate with the contractor’s traffic control lead to request off-peak windows and reduce queuing.

“Emergency repairs may appear with little notice; keep contingency yards and flexible permits ready.”

Tip: use transit for escort teams where practical and add time buffers at peak travel hours to avoid missed windows or curfew violations.

Key Dates, Detours, and Transit Options During Construction

Plan travel windows now: known work phases will change how and when large loads can cross the canal corridor. Use the timeline below to align permits, crews, and equipment with confirmed windows.

Future timeline at a glance

2025: preparatory overnight and weekend work sets staging and traffic controls. These short closures help the main effort start smoothly.

2026: primary preservation begins. Expect lane reductions through much of the year, with periodic full directional closures on select weekends to swap work zones.

2027: southbound reductions extend toward Mercer. Plan buffers for longer transit times and additional permit coordination.

World Cup pause and carrier planning

Early June to mid-July 2026: all lanes are scheduled open for the world cup events. This limited window creates a valuable weeks-long opportunity to move time-sensitive loads through the corridor.

Recommendation: pre-book critical moves during world cup weeks. Permit demand may spike and lead times can grow, so secure slots early.

• Use I-405 or SR 99 as alternates when lane reductions force detours; confirm temporary allowances before dispatch.
• Leverage transit links and park-and-ride locations for escort teams or crew swaps near constrained interchanges.
• Check interactive maps frequently: traffic and closure notices change as the project advances.
• Always verify express-lane directionality and any temporary weight, width, or height limits at the ship canal bridge before departure.

“Expect at least one full directional closure each year to set or switch zones; avoid those weekends or plan permitted overnight transits.”

Stay Prepared: Real-time Updates, Travel Tools, and Regional Coordination

Real-time feeds let teams pick quieter windows for complex moves across the ship canal bridge. Use WSDOT’s live travel map, email alerts, and social channels and assign a dispatcher to monitor these updates during critical travel.

Before rollout: confirm permits, verify express lanes restrictions, review ramp status, and inspect any temporary barriers on the canal bridge. Coordinate with the contractor and regional partners so people can schedule around weekend work and planned closures.

Plan for the unexpected: build contingency routes and buffer time for emergency repairs. Align multi-year logistics with the preservation project and use the world cup weeks as a clear window to move backlogged loads.