It’s a busy weekend in the Seattle area.
Contractors for the Washington state Department of Transportation will close lanes on southbound I-5, the Seattle Mariners play at home, the boat parade is planned for the Montlake cut Saturday and the annual March of Dimes Walk is on the Alaskan Way Viaduct.
I-5 in University District
Crews will close the two left lanes of southbound I-5 between 45th and Roanoke streets all weekend to replace 46 cracked concrete panels south of the Ship Canal Bridge. The southbound I-5 to eastbound SR 520 ramp will also be closed around the clock from 11 p.m. Friday, May 1, through 5 a.m. Monday, May 4.
• Cross-lake drivers can use I-90 or take a signed detour to access eastbound SR 520.
• Boat aficionados heading to the Montlake cut for Saturday’s boat parade should use north-end alternate routes into the University District.
• The I-5 express lanes will run southbound all weekend.
Crews will also grind the pavement of northbound I-5 Saturday and Sunday nights between 45th and 145th streets. The state will close up to two lanes between 10 p.m. Saturday night and 10 a.m. Sunday morning then again at 8 p.m. Sunday night and 5 a.m. Monday morning.
The concrete panel replacement work tackles the worst bumpy areas on I-5 between south Seattle and Shoreline. This $21 million project supports more than 200 jobs and provides work for nearly 20 Washington state companies.
I-90 express lane closures begin Monday
At 12:01 a.m. Monday, May 4, state transportation contractor crews will close the I-90 express lanes around the clock for 19 days to replace cracking expansion joints. These massive steel expansion joints help the bridge to flex with wind, water and weather.
The state will replace the expansion joints in the express lanes in May and the westbound mainline joints in July.
• I-90 drivers can take alternate routes like I-405, SR 520 and SR 522.
• Carpool, vanpool or take the bus or consider leaving early or staying late and plan for 30-minute commute between Bellevue and Seattle.
• Drivers on alternate routes can expect more congestion during peak commute times.
• The express lanes east of Mercer Island will head east during the express lane work.
This $8.3 million project supports an estimated 80 jobs.
Seattle area events
Several local events have drivers hitting the highways and local streets this weekend.
• The annual opening of boating season brings hundreds boats to the Montlake cut and through the open Montlake Bridge Saturday (May 2). WSDOT crews will close the bridge (SR 513) to vehicle and pedestrian traffic from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All SR 520 ramps leading to the bridge will also be closed at this time.
• The Seattle Mariners have three home games this weekend: Today (Friday) at 7:10 p.m., Saturday (May 2) at 6:10 and May 3 at 1:10 p.m. Drivers should plan for extra congestion near the stadium.
• The annual March of Dimes Walk has the northbound lanes (top deck) of the Alaskan Way Viaduct closed Sunday (May 3) from 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Hood Canal Bridge
The Hood Canal Bridge is now closed for six weeks.
What should drivers do?
• Plan for delays on I-5 through Seattle this weekend especially in advance of the Mariner games.
• Check the Web for the latest information.
• Check the Seattle traffic map
• Use the overhead freeway signs and the 511 driver information line to get up-to-the minute information on the road.
• Call the I-90 information hotline at 206.440.4444. The hotline is staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Leave a message and your call will be returned.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more detailed closure information on these projects and other work this weekend, drivers should bookmark this transportation department site and check the “What’s happening right now” link.
