Heads up: Major I-5 lane closures underway — take transit and avoid stress!

Summer is here — and so is roadwork season, and Seattle has a doozy of a project underway.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has begun major Revive I-5 repair work on the northbound Ship Canal Bridge, and that means two northbound lanes of the freeway will be closed for up to four weeks.

Yes, it’s a big deal. Yes, it’s going to impact your summer travels. But with a little planning and the right tools, you can ease the traffic blues.

WSDOT’s project aims to give the aging Ship Canal Bridge some much-needed TLC. The result will be smoother roads and better safety — but first, the region must power through some serious traffic challenges.

Here’s what’s happening:

• All northbound lanes will be closed between I-90 and NE 45th from 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 18 through 5 a.m. Monday, July 21
• Two northbound I-5 lanes across the Ship Canal Bridge will be closed 24/7 for the duration of the project.
• The Express Lanes will stay open northbound from July 18 to Aug.  18 around the clock to help keep traffic moving.
• All northbound lanes will close again to remove the work zone from Friday night, Aug. 15 to Monday morning, August 18.

Translation: You’ll want to think twice about hopping on I-5 north like it’s a normal day. You’ve got options — and now’s the time to use them.

Transit is your best friend

Taking the bus or light rail is hands-down the least stressful way to navigate around the construction zones. No parking hassles, no personally navigating stop-and-go traffic — just sit back and ride. (Prepare for busier-than-usual buses and light rail during construction.)

Bonus: Youth 18 and under ride free on transit!

FlipYourTrip.org is the City of Seattle hub for planning, adapting and exploring stress-free travel options, including incentives for taking transit. Skip the traffic. Hop on transit, pedal a bike, scoot, walk, roll, or share a ride. Every trip you flip means more time for fun and less time stuck in traffic. Get moving with confidence!

Use trip planning tools to map out your ride:

• King County Metro Trip Planner
• Sound Transit Trip Planner
• Community Transit Trip Planner
• Call Metro Customer Service at 206-553-3000 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays.
• Commute Seattle is offering personalized trip planning during Revive I-5 at (206) 613-3132, weekdays, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

 Stay informed with Service Alerts to learn about delays, reroutes or closures that may impact transit.

• King County Metro – Service Alerts
• Sound Transit – Service Alerts
• Community Transit Service Alerts

 Some further tips

Work remotely if possible. Try flexing your hours. Travel during off-peak hours if you can — you’ll save time and avoid a whole lot of stress. Consider carrying some water and a snack to get you through longer commutes.

Get even more state travel information:

• Download the WSDOT mobile app
• View real-time travel maps
• Sign up for email updates and alerts
• Check traffic before you go

The Bottom Line

Construction is never fun — but a smoother, safer freeway system is worth it. Whether you’re commuting to work, heading to a Mariners game, or escaping on vacation, a little planning goes a long way this summer.

Mark your calendars for July 18, power up your transit apps and alerts, and give yourself some extra travel time. Puget Sound region, we’ve got this!