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This news overview explains how major work on the Ship Canal bridge will affect the region’s transportation network and why carriers must plan safe alternative routes.

The northbound span will close for two weekend long work windows and shift to two lanes for four weeks this summer. Real-time updates and routing advice come from WSDOT, SDOT, King County Metro, and Sound Transit to help people and freight move with fewer delays.

We outline key dates, lane reductions, and downtown access options so drivers can choose smarter travel times and ramps like Edgar Martinez Dr, Dearborn, James, or Madison streets.

For carriers and planners, contingency steps, signal timing changes, and bus-only lanes aim to reduce bottlenecks and protect crews. Learn practical hauling tips and reroute options in this short guide: hauling oversize loads.

Plan ahead, slow down near work zones, and follow updates so the project finishes on time and everyone stays safe.

What’s changing on I-5 across the Ship Canal Bridge this summer

Plan for two weekend closures and a month of reduced lanes while crews complete deck preservation and drainage upgrades. The work runs in three key windows to minimize overall impacts.

Weekend closures and four-week lane reductions on northbound I-5

The corridor will close northbound from the I-90 interchange to NE 45th St for a weekend starting Friday night, July 18, reopening Monday morning, July 21.

After that, northbound i-5 shifts to two lanes across the ship canal bridge from July 21 through the night of Aug. 15. A second weekend closure — Aug. 15 to Aug. 18 — will remove the work zone and restore the mainline.

Two-lane operations and bridge deck preservation work

During the four weeks, crews will repave and repair the two left lanes and replace stormwater drains. Expect capacity reductions and slower speeds through active work zones.

How WSDOT, SDOT, and transit partners are coordinating to keep people moving

WSDOT coordinated with SDOT, King County Metro, Sound Transit, emergency services, and freight partners to adjust signal timing, expand bus-only lanes, and update transit routes.

• Express lanes run northbound only, 24/7, with the first exit at NE 42nd St — they do not give downtown seattle access during the closures.
• Budget extra travel time, use agency alerts, and consider transit options when possible to avoid delays.

Northbound I-5 access, express lanes, and downtown Seattle options

When northbound travel is tight during work windows, good exit choices make the difference. Plan your approach to avoid last-minute lane changes and long merges.

Using Edgar Martinez Drive, Dearborn, James, or Madison to reach downtown

For downtown access during closures, follow WSDOT guidance to use Edgar Martinez Dr or exits to Dearborn, James, and Madison streets. These surface routes give reliable connections when mainline access is limited by work.

Stay on the mainline only if your exit remains available; otherwise move to approved surface streets early to prevent delays and unsafe lane shifts.

Express lanes: northbound operation and exit locations

The I-5 express lanes will run northbound only around the clock during this period, and the first express exit is at NE 42nd St. There are no northbound express exits that lead directly into downtown Seattle, so plan accordingly.

• Express on-ramps at Columbia, Cherry, and Pine open to all vehicles during specified weekend windows.
• Expect intermittent queues as traffic merges into fewer lanes; allow extra time for travel and check the map before you go.
• Transit partners update routes—consider buses or light rail if reducing downtown driving fits your trip.

Tip: Use WSDOT’s Travel Center Map and mobile alerts to confirm ramp status and live conditions before you commit to an express route.

Oversize Shipping Reroutes from I-5 Seattle Construction Projects

Plan detours and timing early so heavy hauls avoid weekend closures and the four-week two-lane period across the canal bridge. Pre-select corridors that meet permit limits and stay clear of the active work on the i-5 ship canal segment.

Preferred detours use state routes and arterials that allow permitted dimensions and weights. Confirm ramp access near the I-90 interchange; closures there limit options to re-enter northbound traffic.

Planning staging and timing

Schedule moves overnight or during off-peak windows to reduce merges where lane reductions create queues. Build slack for pilot cars, police escorts, and slower speeds through preservation and repairs zones.

Permits, coordination, and real-time tools

• Coordinate permits with carriers and escorts before travel.
• Use the WSDOT Travel Center map and mobile alerts to check ramp status, incidents, and speeds.
• Keep dispatch updated so ETAs reflect live conditions in king county and nearby terminals.

Work zone safety

Slow down, phone down. Hold lane discipline through narrow tapers and respect posted speed and width limits to protect crews and reduce secondary crashes.

Looking ahead: 2026-2027 phases, World Cup pause, and continued repairs

WSDOT shifted long-term preservation to 2026 so contractors can concentrate on the ship canal bridge deck while managing traffic demand. The approach staggers work to keep the corridor moving during peak events and travel weeks.

2026 FIFA World Cup window: all lanes open, work resumes mid-July

All lanes will reopen for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in early June to support visitors and local travel. Crews will pause major activity during matches and restart preservation work in mid-July.

Southbound work in 2027 and impacts on traffic and transit

In 2027, the sequence shifts to the southbound side. Early-season work will target the two left lanes, then move to right-lane segments into the fall to maintain throughput where possible.

• Nearly 200 emergency repairs since 2019 show the focus remains on deck rehabilitation; the bridge structure is sound.
• Expect intermittent overnight and weekend work to prep or finish phases; check official updates before key travel weeks.
• Watch contractor milestones and WSDOT news so you can plan around weeks with the biggest lane changes.

Plan now to keep freight, transit, and travel on track

Get alerts and adjust timetables now to keep freight, transit, and daily travel moving through the i-5 ship canal work windows. , Use the WSDOT Travel Center Map and mobile app for real-time conditions near the ship canal and ship canal bridge.

Build flexible schedules that assume two lanes across the canal bridge during active work. Coordinate with transit for employee commutes and avoid peak merges. Track contractor updates and official news so your routes match current lane and traffic conditions.

Slow down – lives are on the line and Phone down, eyes up. Share weekly plans in king county, stage fuel and maintenance outside bottlenecks, and refine your playbook as repairs and reductions change the region’s transportation flow.