Freeway closures announced with humor (and horror) from WSDOT

Now you have to watch the reel of zombie freeway workers

Something evil’s lurking in the dark... IT’S A HALLOWEEN WEEKEND FULL CLOSURE OF NORTHBOUND I-5 IN SEATTLE (and SB I-405 in Bothell).

BUT! Before you run for your life, there’s a killer plot twist. The reason we’re closing the road is so crews can remove the Revive I-5: Ship Canal Bridge work zone. 

And when Monday morning comes, something will rise from the dead... ALL FOUR NORTHBOUND LANES will be open across the bridge AND express lanes will return to normal operations.

The details: 

• NB I-5 will close from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street from 11:59 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, to 5 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2. Adjacent ramps and lanes will start to close as early as 9 p.m. Friday.
• We’ll start work on the southbound lanes in early 2027, but let’s - ah - cross that bridge when we get there. (Had to do it).

But wait. There’s more.

• We’ll also be closing all lanes of SB I-405 in Bothell from SR 527 to SR 522 from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday. A detour will be in place, and adjacent ramps also will close. This is to widen I-405 through Bothell and build a new bus rapid transit station in the center of the freeway.

Expect delays this weekend and adjust your routes if you’re able. We know you’ll close your eyes and hope that this is just imagination, but this is a chiller, thriller weekend. Let’s get through it together, boys and ghouls

Don't miss the WSDOT zombie reel!

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WSDOT Travel advice for the weekend

WSDOT Paint Map for August 28-31

Labor Day weekend will bring lots of travel and congestion to state highways, waterways, at state airports and along pedestrian trails.

We urge travelers to plan ahead, stay alert and give themselves extra time to get to their destinations. Our Labor Day weekend travel charts have dropped to help people beat the rush as well as other tools and tips to make all types of travel easier.

The charts highlight the best and worst times to travel on key state highways most prone to holiday congestion, including: 

• US 2 between Skykomish and Stevens Pass
• Interstate 90 between North Bend and Cle Elum 
• I-5 between Lacey and Tacoma 
• I-5 between Bellingham and the Canadian border 

Whether traveling across town or across the state, we encourage travelers to “know before you go” by following these tips: 

• Get informed about our online tools, including the our mobile app, traffic cameras and email alerts.
• Visit online traveler information for traffic, weather, ferry schedules and a real-time travel map.
• Follow us on social media including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Bluesky and X.
• Identify potential safety rest areas before heading out, to ensure enough breaks to avoid drowsy driving. 
• Have a backup outdoor destination in mind, as parks and other outdoor recreation sites tend to fill up quickly on holiday weekends. If a site’s parking lot is full, never park along road shoulders – this is unsafe for everyone on the roadway, including emergency responders.

Most highway construction paused 
Most highway construction will pause to help ease congestion starting Friday, Sept. 4, but delays are still likely – especially in popular areas or due to crashes or wildfires. The Revive I-5 work zone over the Ship Canal Bridge remains in place. 

Stay alert to fire danger
Fire danger remains high across the state. If traveling near active wildfires, stay alert and up to date on closures as winds can shift quickly. These tips can help prevent roadside fires: 

• Never throw a lit cigarette or any other flammable material out of vehicle windows. 
• Keep towing chains from dragging on pavement to avoid sparks.
• Do not park on dry grass, the heat from exhaust systems can spark a brush fire.
• If a brush fire is spotted with no emergency crews around, be sure to alert authorities – do not assume someone else has called it in. 
• Always call 911 for real-time emergencies, as opposed to notifying us or the Washington State Patrol via social media or email.

Ferry travel
Washington State Ferry routes also are expected to be busy. Reservations are strongly encouraged on routes that offer them. People boarding a ferry by vehicle can likely expect the busiest sailings and longer wait times to be westbound (or onto an island) Thursday and Friday, Sept. 3-4, and eastbound (or departing an island) Sunday and Monday, Sept. 6-7. 

Walk-on passengers can bypass vehicle lines and usually board much faster. Other helpful tips to consider:

• All riders should double-check the sailing schedules and sign up to receive rider alerts for service updates.
• Visit Washington State Ferries for details on vehicle reservations for some routes, tracking ferries on a real-time map and checking terminal status.

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Paving complete around Lyon Creek fish passage site but work still to be done

WSDOT Fish culvert project July 4, 2026
Photo by David Carlos

Paving is now complete on SR 104/Ballinger Way NE, 35th Avenue NE and NE 185th Street. This is another milestone on the SR 104 Lyon Creek fish passage project.

Crews repaved throughout the work zone overnight Tuesday, July 28, and replaced a speed hump on 35th Avenue NE that was removed early in this project.

Despite this big step forward, we’re not quite finished with this project.

Over the next two weeks, from 7am to 5pm Monday through Friday, contractor crews will close one lane on 35th Avenue NE south of SR 104 to perform anti-corrosion measures on new sewer infrastructure. 

During this time, 35th Avenue NE will be limited to local access only between SR 104 and NE 182nd Street. People who live on 35th Avenue NE will have access to their properties, and emergency vehicles will be able to reach homes in this area.

While this work is happening, crews will continue to demobilize from the construction site alongside Lyon Creek and install final landscaping. Lane striping will happen in mid-August after the new pavement has time to fully harden. This likely will be completed over one night, with single-lane closures and flaggers on site to keep people moving through the work zone. I will let you know when striping is scheduled.

There will be some additional work here and there in the work zone after lane striping is finished, but we are not expecting any major traffic challenges.

There should be some overlap with the LFP Roundabout project at 40th NE and Ballinger, where construction will begin on August 3, 2026.

Read more...

Weekday SR 104 closure in Lake Forest Park begins Tuesday, July 7, for sewer installation

Intersection of 35th (bottom of photo) and Ballinger Way (paved section)
Photo by David Carlos

LAKE FOREST PARK – Starting Tuesday, July 7, 2026 both directions of State Route 104/Ballinger Way NE will close from 7am to 5pm weekdays between NE 195th St and 35th Ave NE.

Signed detours will guide vehicles and pedestrians around the closure, which supports sewer installation for the SR 104 Lyon Creek fish passage project. Local access will be permitted on SR 104 east of NE 195th St, and driveways in this area will remain accessible during the weekday closures.

Ballinger will close from 35th to 195th both directions

Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will install sewer lines beneath SR 104. These lines will connect with sewer pipes installed recently along 35th Ave NE and NE 185th St.

Once sewer work is completed along SR 104, crews will shift to paving, lane striping and landscaping.

35th has been the center of construction for a year
Photo by David Carlos

WSDOT has been working to open the fish passage under SR104/Ballinger for a year. This project is one of multiple projects to restore fish passages in the state.

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Shoreline and North Seattle overnight work on I-5 starting around July 6, 2026

Overnight concrete panel replacement, crack sealing work continues 

along I-5 during overnight hours. Photo courtesy WSDOT

Overnight lane and ramp closures along Interstate 5 in Seattle resume Monday night, July 6, 2027 for ongoing work on a regional pavement repair project.

I-5 lane and ramp closure details

The following closures are planned from as early as 9 p.m. Monday, July 6 to 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 7:

• Up to three lanes of southbound I-5 between State Route 104/244th Street Southwest and Northeast 50th Street.
• The King County Metro bus barn to southbound I-5 off-ramp in Shoreline.
• The southbound I-5 on-ramp from Northeast 175th Street in Shoreline.
• The southbound I-5 on-ramp from North 85th Street in Seattle.

The following closures are planned from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly in Seattle beginning Monday, July 6, through Wednesday morning, July 8:

• Up to two lanes of northbound I-5 between Northeast Ravenna Boulevard and North 85th Street.
• The northbound I-5 off-ramp to Lake City Way.
• The northbound I-5 on-ramp from Northeast 70th Street.

Express Lanes

• The I-5 express lanes in Seattle will close early at 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 8 and Wednesday, July 9. The express lanes will reopen at the normal time the following mornings.

The following closure is planned in Seattle from 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 8 to 4 a.m. Thursday, July 9:

• Up to three lanes of southbound I-5 from Northeast 130th Street to Northeast 92nd Street.

The following closures are planned in Seattle from as early as 9 p.m. Thursday, July 9 to 5 a.m. Friday, July 10:

• Up to three lanes of southbound I-5 between Northeast 130th Street to Northeast 92nd Street.
• The southbound I-5 to North 85th Street off-ramp.
• The southbound I-5 on-ramp from Northgate Way.

This regional pavement repair project will improve the driving surface in more than 70 locations in King, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties. 

As part of this project, contractor crews are replacing 89 concrete panels along the I-5 corridor in Seattle and Shoreline.

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Shoreline / Seattle: Overnight concrete panel replacement, crack sealing work continues along I-5 during overnight hours

Photo courtesy WSDOT

Overnight lane and ramp closures along I-5 in Seattle resume Saturday night, June 27, 2026 for ongoing work on a regional pavement repair project.

I-5 lane and ramp closure details:

• The I-5 express lanes will close early at 9:30pm Saturday, June 27.

The following closures are planned from as early as 9pm Saturday, June 27 and Monday, June 29 and will reopen at 5am the next morning:

• Southbound I-5 on-ramp from NE 130th St.
• Up to four lanes of southbound I-5 between NE 155th St and Northgate Way.

The following closures are planned from as early as 9pm to 5am nightly Monday, June 29, through Wednesday morning, July 1:

• Up to three lanes of northbound I-5 between Lake City Way and Northgate Way.
• Northbound I-5 off-ramp to Northgate Way.

The following closure is planned from as early as 9pm to 5am nightly Tuesday, June 30, through Thursday morning, July 2:

• Up to four lanes of northbound I-5 between the Ship Canal Bridge and NE 175th St.

The following closures are planned from as early as 9pm Thursday, July 2 to 5am Friday, July 3:

• Up to three lanes of northbound I-5 between NE 50th St and Ship Canal Bridge.
• The northbound I-5 on-ramp from King County Metro Bus Barn.
• The southbound I-5 on-ramp from NE 175th St.
• Up to three lanes of southbound I-5 between NE 145th St and NE 185th St.
• Up to two lanes of southbound I-5 between Lake City Way and NE 45th St.

This regional pavement repair project will improve the driving surface in more than 70 locations in King, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties.

As part of this project, contractor crews are replacing 89 concrete panels along the I-5 corridor in Seattle and Shoreline.

Read more...

Provide feedback on proposal for low-income discount on local toll roads

The Washington State Transportation Commission, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation, is developing a low income toll discount program. The program is proposed to launch later this year on the SR 509 and SR 167 Expressways.

The Transportation Commission has released a proposal and is seeking public feedback before making a final decision. The proposal would:

• Provide a 50% discount off the applicable Good To Go! pass toll rate for two-axle vehicles.
• Be available to customers with a household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level who have a Good To Go! account and use a pass.

There are several ways you can learn more and share your thoughts:

• Online Open House: 
• Available through Friday, July 10. 
• Review information about the proposal and submit written comments.
• Virtual Public Input Meeting: Tuesday, July 7, at 6:30 p.m. 
• Information will be shared on the proposal, and the public will have an opportunity to testify.
• Zoom registration is required.
• Transportation Commission Public Hearing: 
• Tuesday, July 21, at 3:15 p.m. Members of the public may provide testimony before the commission considers taking action on the proposal. 
• Zoom registration is required

To learn more about how the Transportation Commission sets toll rates and policies, visit the commission’s website.

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Overnight closures planned for repair work on I-5

WSDOT road crews at work.
Photo courtesy WSDOT

Overnight lane and ramp closures along Interstate 5 in Seattle resume Sunday night, June 21, 2026 for ongoing work on a regional pavement repair project.

I-5 lane and ramp closure details

The following closures are planned from as early as 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday night, June 21, through Wednesday morning, June 24:

• Up to three lanes of southbound I-5 between Northeast 130th and 85th streets.
• Northgate Way Northeast on-ramp to southbound I-5 .
• Southbound I-5 off-ramp to Northeast 85th Street.

The following closures are planned from as early as 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly Monday, June 22, through Friday morning, June 26:

• Three lanes of northbound I-5 between Lake City Way and just north of Northgate Way Northeast.
• Northbound I-5 off-ramp to Northgate Way Northeast.

This regional pavement repair project will improve the driving surface in more than 70 locations in King, Snohomish, Skagit and Whatcom counties. 

As part of this project, contractor crews are replacing 89 concrete panels along the I-5 corridor in Seattle and Shoreline.

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Northbound I-5 lane, ramp closures expected in Shoreline overnight Thursday, May 21

Northbound Interstate 5 will have lane and ramp closures between NE 175th Street to State Route 104 (NE 205th Street) in Shoreline from 11pm Thursday, May 21 to 5am Friday, May 22, 2026 for sign maintenance.

During the closure, the right lane of northbound I-5 will be closed as well as the northbound on-ramp from NE 175th Street. 

Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews will replace overhead signs during this closure. This work is weather-dependent.

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Sewer installation winding down on 35th Ave NE in Lake Forest Park, set to begin on NE 185th

Good progress on new sewer lines under 35th Ave NE

Contractor crews expect to finish installing new sewer lines beneath 35th Ave NE in Lake Forest Park by Memorial Day weekend, allowing them to start sewer installation on NE 185th Street.

Crews are planning for roughly two weeks of sewer installation on NE 185th Street starting Tuesday, May 26, 2026 followed by roughly a week of installation time on SR 104/Ballinger Way NE beginning in early June.

Detour map for 185th Street closure

During sewer installation, both lanes of NE 185th Street will close from 7am to 5pm daily Monday through Friday near the intersection with 35th Ave NE. Signed detours will guide people around construction.

Planned detour for Ballinger Way / SR 104 daytime closures

The contractor is planning to close all lanes of SR 104/Ballinger Way Northeast from 7am to 5pm for about five weekdays in early June to complete sewer work. Vehicles will follow a signed detour using NE 195th Street and 35th Ave NE during the closures.

Final paving is expected to begin in June, followed by lane striping and landscaping to close out this project in mid-summer.

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Sewer work continues at 35th & Ballinger/SR 104

Fish culvert work October 2025 with SR 104 blocked off
Photo by David Carlos

WSDOT 35th Ave & SR 104 / Ballinger Way road work update

As part of a WSDOT project, daytime sewer installation supporting the SR 104 Lyon Creek fish passage project will begin on Monday, April 20, 2026.

Prior to this daytime work, several overnight work periods reduced SR 104 to one lane near 35th Avenue NE. Additionally, 35th Avenue NE will close at the intersection with SR 104 during those same hours.

Starting Monday, daytime sewer work installation will happen from 7am to 5pm daily Monday through Friday beginning on 35th Ave NE. 

This work is expected to last several weeks. The work zone will then transition to NE 185th Street near 35th Avenue NE for several more weeks. All local roads will reopen overnight when construction is not active.

Weather and other factors could require additional construction time.

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400 feet of 35th Ave NE in Lake Forest Park will be closed overnight Sunday April 12

The project will improve fish passage under SR 104
west of 35th Ave NE in Lake Forest Park
Photo courtesy WSDOT

The WSDOT contractor working on the sewer system near Ballinger Way is planning for a full overnight closure of about 400 feet of 35th Avenue NE at the intersection of SR 104/Ballinger Way NE from 8pm Sunday night, April 12, to 6am Monday, April 13.

The contractor intends to activate the sewer bypass system and dewatering wells during this overnight shift.

If there are complications overnight Sunday, the contractor could need intermittent closures on SR 104, 35th Avenue NE, and/or NE 185th Street during the same overnight hours Monday night, April 13, to Tuesday morning, April 14, to finish work.

Again, these closure(s) are necessary only if the bypass is not active by Monday morning. Flaggers and signed detours will get people around construction one or both nights as needed.

Getting the bypass and dewatering systems online are a major milestone that will allow the transition to daytime sewer installation.

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UPDATE: Northbound I-5 remains closed south of Bellingham as work continues

Workers started at the top of the slide. Photo courtesy WSDOT

No estimate for reopening lanes after March 19 slide

BELLINGHAM – Northbound Interstate 5 remains closed south of Bellingham, while work continues seven days a week to stabilize the slope and clear debris. Travelers should continue to expect delays in the area and consider alternate routes.

There is no estimate when northbound I-5 will reopen, but the Washington State Department of Transportation and its contractor are working to open lanes as quickly as it is safe to do so. 

Northbound lanes have been closed since a March 19, 2026 slide sent more than 3,000 cubic yards of boulders, trees and other debris 60 to 80 feet down a slope toward I-5. An emergency contract was executed, and contractor crews began work Saturday, March 21.

Stabilizing the slope
Contractor crews continue to drill holes in the rock face in a pattern designed by geotechnical engineers to anchor steel dowels 15 to 25 feet deep to help stabilize the slope. As of Friday morning, April 3, crews had drilled more than 700 linear feet and three specialized drilling teams were on site.

The geotechnical engineers continually re-evaluate the slope and adjust plans throughout this meticulous process. This work requires precision and may need to be repeated, as crews closely inspect the slope while working from top to bottom.

Crews split the “bus-sized” boulders in the debris pile into smaller pieces, repeating the process until the boulder pieces are small enough to remove.

No one was hurt when the hillside collapsed but three vehicles were caught in the mudslide.

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SR 104 / Ballinger Way Lyon Creek work resumes March 29

Overnight construction resumes Sunday night, March 29, 2026 at the State Route 104 / Ballinger Way intersection with 35th Ave NE in Lake Forest Park as crews work to finalize this project.

Starting March 29, the WSDOT contractor will close roughly 400 feet of both directions of 35th Ave NE south of SR 104 for sewer work.

Starting March 29, overnight hours

This work will happen from 8pm to 6am nightly Sunday nights through Friday mornings each week for up to four weeks. The schedule could go longer if weather does not cooperate.

Signed detours will guide people around the work zone during these nightly closures. Flaggers will maintain access for people who live within the section of 35th Ave NE that will close nightly.

Nightly lane closures also are likely in the coming weeks on SR 104 and NE 185th St. Crews will use the nightly closures to prepare for sewer installation later this spring.

Since construction paused last fall, WSDOT has redesigned sewer upgrades to account for sandy soils and less space than they expected around other buried utilities. WSDOT expects roughly four months of construction left on this project, including sewer work, paving, lane striping, site cleanup and final landscaping.

There are many ways to stay informed about these final phases of construction. They include the SR 104 Lyon Creek project website, WSDOT’s social media accounts and email newsletters and real-time travel map.

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WSDOT warns of 'unprecedented level of construction activity" over the next two years

The travel center map

Over the next two years, travelers across Greater Puget Sound will see an unprecedented level of construction activity. 

The region's transportation system is at a tipping point. Much of the infrastructure is old, overstressed and operating beyond what it was designed to handle. 

Meanwhile, the region's population continues to grow and must be managed safely and strategically. That means adding capacity to roads, improving access and strengthening transit connections. 

More information about WSDOT’s efforts were recently shared on the WSDOT blog: “Why so much construction in Puget Sound? What to know about I-5, I-405, SR 520 and more through 2028.”

People should plan ahead and prepare for longer travel times, use alternative routes or consider delaying trips. Real-time travel information is available on the WSDOT mobile app, the WSDOT Travel Center Map or by signing up for WSDOT's email updates.

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Both directions of I-405 in Bothell to close for ramp removal, March 7-9 and March 13-16, 2026

SR 522 interchange concept map. Courtesy WSDOT

BOTHELL – Construction across the greater Puget Sound region continues to intensify as multiple projects move forward at the same time. As part of that sustained work, both directions of Interstate 405 in Bothell will fully close during the first two weekends of March so crews can remove the remaining portion of the previous northbound I-405 to State Route 522 ramp over I-405.

Closure details

March 7-9: 6pm Saturday, March 7, to 4am Monday, March 9, crews will close all lanes of northbound I-405 at the SR 522 Interchange and all lanes of southbound I-405 from SR 527 to SR 522 to remove ramp sections over I-405.

March 13-16: 9pm Friday, March 13, to 4am Monday, March 16, crews will close all lanes of northbound I-405 at the SR 522 Interchange and all lanes of southbound I-405 from SR 527 to SR 522. All lanes of southbound I-405 may reopen as early as 9am Sunday, March 15, depending on ramp removal progress.

Ramp closures

Ramp closures are required overnight to restripe the northbound I-405 detour route temporarily to two lanes to increase capacity and again to reset the lanes. Travelers can expect closures of the following ramps overnight:

• The northbound I-405 on-ramp to westbound SR 522
• The eastbound and westbound SR 522 on-ramps to northbound I-405.

During the southbound I-405 full closures the following ramps will also close:

• SR 527 on-ramps to southbound I-405.
• Northeast 195th Street on- and off-ramps (exit 24) to southbound I-405.

This work is part of the I-405/Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project, which expands and enhances 4.5 miles of I-405 through Bothell. Full closures of I-405 are necessary to keep drivers safe and protect the I-405 bridge deck below the ramp during its removal.

“We learned a lot during the removal of the first few sections of these ramps over SR 522,” said I-405/SR 167 Program Administrator Lisa Hodgson.

“Now we need to close I-405 to remove the remaining portions of ramp. Leveraging our lessons learned from the previous ramp sections, we are able to reduce the time we plan to fully close I-405 on both weekends. However, we still expect these closures to have significant impacts to regional travel."

Detour routes

Signed detour routes will be in place:

• Northbound I-405 nighttime detour: In place while crews restripe lanes for daytime detour and reset lanes before reopening to traffic Monday morning.
• Northbound I-405 daytime detour: Westbound SR 522 traffic will make a right turn at the traffic signal instead of using the merge ramp to help prioritize northbound I-405 traffic.
• Southbound I-405 detour.

Drivers are advised to slow down and pay attention through the detours. Uniformed police officers will help direct traffic.

Effect on traffic

Detour routes are limited and cannot carry normal I-405 freeway volumes. Travelers should expect 2- to 3-mile backups on I-405 during the full closures. A one-hour delay in both directions is the best-case scenario during peak travel times.

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Eastbound/westbound SR 522 closure in Bothell

Photo courtesy WSDOT

From Friday, Feb. 27 through Monday, March 2, travelers should plan for a full closure of eastbound and westbound State Route 522 in Bothell.

Eastbound and westbound SR 522 will be closed at the I-405/SR 522 Interchange beginning at 10pm Friday, Feb. 27 to 4am Monday, March 2. 

Crews will start closing lanes as early as 9pm. Signed detours will be in place : Eastbound SR 522 detour
Westbound SR 522 detour

The following ramps will also close:

• Southbound I-405 off-ramp to eastbound SR 522
• Northbound I-405 off-ramp to westbound SR 522

Crews will remove the remaining portion of the northbound I-405 ramp over SR 522 as part of the I-405/Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project. This ramp needs to be removed to open the center of the interchange for I-405 expansion in Bothell

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Seahawks Parade: WSDOT says TAKE TRANSIT

BEEP BEEP THE HAWKS ARE BACK IN SEATTLE. And so is everyone else, as we're hearing somewhere around 750,000 people may come to Seattle for Wednesday's Seahawks Victory Parade.

Which is GREAT to celebrate our SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS, but not so great for getting anywhere in Seattle quickly.

We strongly recommend taking transit tomorrow - which could be ferry, bus, or train depending on where you're coming from. Here are some accounts that can help you get where you're going:

• Washington State Ferries
• King County Metro Transit
• Sound Transit
• Kitsap Transit
• Community Transit

A few other notes:

• The two lane reduction of northbound I-5 over the Ship Canal Bridge remains in place. Picking up that work zone requires a two-day full closure of I-5, and then another two-day full closure of I-5 to set it back up again. Express lanes will continue to run northbound 24/7
• No additional construction work is planned for the downtown corridor that would impact the parade.
• Any traffic holds, such as the brief ramp restrictions at Edgar Martinez Drive while the procession moves to the parade route, will be temporary.
• If your workplace has alternate locations or flexible schedules, consider using them. It's gonna be BUSY downtown, in case the map didn't make that clear.

Check out this great blog from King County Metro that summarizes all of your transit options: Transit options for the Seahawks parade

Due to street closures, massive crowds on the street, and expected gridlock, bus routes heading into downtown Seattle from the north plan to drop off riders at Queen Anne and Mercer Street on the north end of town.

Link 1 Line trains will run.

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Fish culvert project at site of Kenmore Jack in the Box

Kenmore Jack in the Box to be demolished

In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a court ruling that required the State of Washington to replace culverts with the worst impacts on fish habitat by 2030. 

The culvert going under SR 522 at Jack in the Box (6100 NE Bothell Way) is one of those culverts. 

In 2025, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) purchased the former Jack in the Box property for the “SR 522 Cat Whisker Creek Fish Passage Project,” marking the closure of the fast-food restaurant. 

Earlier this month, WSDOT provided an update indicating that demolition of the existing building is planned for 2026, with fish habitat enhancement work anticipated in 2028. 

Learn how WSDOT is reconnecting streams under state highways to improve fish passage around the state here. 

For questions, please contact WSDOT project managers: eric.zackula@wsdot.wa.gov and kenneth.ezeokeke@wsdot.wa.gov.

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Revive I-5 lane closures on the Ship Canal Bridge will jam traffic for months

From WSDOT Communications

We've said Revive I-5 is coming back in early 2026. Well, it's here. There's no easy way to rip this band-aid off, so here goes:

There's going to be a full northbound closure of I-5 over the Ship Canal Bridge this weekend. After that, you can expect five months of 24/7 northbound lane reductions over the bridge until we pause for World Cup.

Let's take a moment to remember the good times we've had. Now for the details:

• 11:59 p.m. Jan 9 to 5 a.m. Jan 12: 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.
• Jan. 12 - June 5: Two left NB I-5 lane reduction across the Ship Canal Bridge.
• June 5-8: Weekend-long full NB I-5 closure to pick up the work zone.
• June 8 - July 10: ALL LANES OF I-5 REOPENED FOR WORLD CUP GAMES.
• July 10-13: Weekend-long full NB I-5 closure to set the work zone back up.
• July 13 - 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.

EXPRESS LANES: During closures and lane reductions, I-5 express lanes will run northbound 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That means express lanes will NOT run southbound like they do typically do during the morning hours. Keeping express lanes northbound only allows us to balance the regional traffic system more effectively during this work.

WHY WE ARE DOING THIS: If it feels like a massive deal, it is. This is the largest active highway preservation project in the state. We are removing the old roadway surface, completing structural repairs, and placing new concrete in order to extend the lifespan of this critical bridge.

I know this will be tough. I sat in this traffic last summer, too. Your best bet is to leave earlier than usual, stay later than usual, allow for more travel time, carpool, or try a different travel mode like transit, bus, or bike. If you're not already, it's a good time to get familiar with our friends at Sound Transit or King County Metro Transit.

Stay safe out there, folks

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