Northbound I-5 Closed Through Downtown Seattle for Weekend Repairs

Interstate 5 northbound is fully closed through downtown Seattle this weekend as part of ongoing infrastructure upgrades, significantly impacting regional travel. The shutdown, which began at 11:59 p.m. Friday, will remain in effect until 5 a.m. Monday, July 21, affecting the stretch from the I-90 interchange in SODO to the Northeast 45th Street exit across the Ship Canal Bridge.

The closure is part of the broader Revive I-5 project, with this weekend’s work focused on critical bridge repairs. Maintenance crews are resurfacing the upper deck, replacing aging expansion joints, enhancing drainage, and addressing general wear and tear on the structure.

Following Monday's reopening, only two northbound lanes will remain open on the Ship Canal Bridge through Friday, August 15, creating a prolonged bottleneck for commuters. Another full closure of northbound I-5—from the same I-90 interchange to Northeast 45th Street—is scheduled from Friday, August 15 at 11:59 p.m. to Monday, August 18 at 5 a.m.

The southbound side of the Ship Canal Bridge will undergo similar maintenance this fall and winter, with exact dates to be announced later.

Officials acknowledge the disruption, particularly in surrounding neighborhoods and on alternate routes. Drivers are urged to plan ahead and consider detouring via Edgar Martinez Drive, or the Dearborn, James, and Madison Street exits to access downtown. Express lanes will run northbound all weekend, with ramps into downtown remaining open to all traffic.

Travelers are encouraged to use public transportation whenever possible to ease congestion during this maintenance window.