Seattle drivers should prepare for major changes on I-5 starting this weekend. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is officially kicking off the long-anticipated Revive I-5 project with a full northbound I-5 closure over the Ship Canal Bridge beginning Friday, January 9. This marks the start of months of lane reductions and periodic closures that will continue through the end of 2026.
Read on for all the road closure dates and details.
WSDOT has been signaling the return of Revive I-5 for awhile now, and the work is finally getting underway. The first step is a complete closure of northbound I-5 from I-90 to NE 45th Street this weekend: from 11:59 p.m. on January 9 until 5 a.m. on January 12. This closure allows crews to set up a long-term work zone on the bridge.
After the weekend closure, drivers can expect ongoing lane reductions. From January 12 through June 5, two left northbound lanes will be closed 24/7 across the Ship Canal Bridge. A second full weekend closure will occur June 5–8 to remove the work zone. All lanes will then reopen from June 8 to July 10 to accommodate World Cup games in Seattle.
Construction resumes July 10–13 with another weekend-long northbound closure, followed by two right-lane northbound closures from July 13 through the end of 2026. A final weekend closure will wrap up the project.
Here’s a bulleted list of the construction and closure dates:
- January 9 to 12 (starting at 11:59 p.m. Friday to 5:00 a.m. Monday): All lanes of NB I-5 will be CLOSED from I-90 to NE 45th Street. This will set up the long-term work zone.
- January 12 to June 5: Two left NB I-5 lane reduction across the Ship Canal Bridge.
- June 5 to 8: Weekend-long full NB I-5 closure to pick up the work zone.
- June 8 to July 10: ALL LANES OF I-5 REOPENED FOR WORLD CUP GAMES.
- July 10 to 13: Weekend-long full NB I-5 closure to set the work zone back up.
- July 13 to end of 2026: Two right NB I-5 lane reduction across the Ship Canal Bridge.
- End of 2026: Weekend-long full northbound I-5 closure to pick up the work zone.
During all closures and lane reductions, the I-5 express lanes will operate northbound only, 24 hours a day. They will not switch southbound during morning commute hours.
WSDOT says this is the largest active highway preservation project in Washington state. Crews are replacing worn pavement, repairing structural elements, and pouring new concrete to extend the life of this critical bridge.
Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead: leave earlier or later, expect longer trips, carpool, or use transit. An ORCA card can help riders take advantage of Sound Transit and King County Metro during construction.