(The Center Square) – Travelers heading north through Seattle on Interstate 5 can expect months of delays as a major Washington State Department of Transportation construction project gets underway.
Starting Monday through June 5, northbound I-5 traffic will be reduced to two lanes across the Ship Canal Bridge, one of the busiest sections of freeway in Washington. The bridge serves as a critical connection between Seattle’s north end and the downtown core.
According to WSDOT, nearly 240,000 vehicles cross the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge each day. The last major preservation effort was nearly 40 years ago, and the bridge deck shows considerable wear. Crews have completed more than 200 emergency repairs since 2019.
The Revive I-5 project carries a $203 million price tag, funded through a mix of federal and state sources, including the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the 2003 Transportation Partnership Account and the 2003 Nickel Program.
Construction will pause between June 8 and July 10 while Seattle hosts 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. After the tournament concludes, the northbound two right lanes will close again for the remainder of the year as construction continues.
Work will shift to southbound I-5 in 2027, with crews repairing the two left lanes from winter into summer, followed by the right lanes through the fall.
WSDOT warns drivers to expect delays during construction on the Ship Canal Bridge and encourages commuters to ride transit as “it’s the best, most reliable way to get around.”
Some Seattle residents have already adjusted their commutes, including Cherokee Toole, who told The Center Square his trip from North Seattle to South Lake Union avoids driving altogether.
“I don’t want to drive because it takes too long, it’s stressful, and I also have to pay for gas and parking when I get there,” Toole said to The Center Square in a phone interview. “Instead, I choose the city bus if the weather is too bad to bike, but I prefer my 25-minute bike ride when I can.”
Toole estimates that biking to work saves him about $400 and 10 hours each month.
