WSDOT: 2026 Revive I-5 Information and Closures

From WSDOT:

Planned work in 2026

Over the summer, we completed about 900 linear feet of the northbound I-5 bridge deck repair and resurfacing that was needed. This next phase will require months-long lane reductions to complete the repair and resurfacing of the northbound I-5 upper bridge deck, replace aging bridge expansion joints, improve drainage and address other maintenance issues.

Work will kick off with a weekend-long full closure of northbound I-5 from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street to set up a work zone in the two left northbound lanes of the Ship Canal Bridge. This work zone will be in place until June 8.

 

Approximate location of 2026 months-long two-lane reductions.

A map with a red line AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Closure area for all weekend-long full closures of northbound I-5.

 

 

A weekend-long full northbound I-5 closure will occur June 5-8 to remove the work zone. All lanes of I-5 will be reopened for the FIFA World Cup games June 8-July 10. After the final World Cup game in Seattle, Revive I-5 crews will return July 10-13 with another weekend-long full northbound I-5 closure to set up a new work zone in the two right northbound I-5 lanes across the Ship Canal Bridge that will last through the end of 2026.

Summary of lane closures and reductions:

  • As early as Jan. 9-12: weekend-long full northbound I-5 closure (work zone set up).
  • As early as Jan. 12-June 5: months-long two left northbound I-5 lane reduction across the Ship Canal Bridge.
  • June 5-8: weekend-long full northbound I-5 closure (work zone removal).
  • June 8-July 10: all lanes of I-5 open for FIFA World Cup games.
  • July 10-13: weekend-long full northbound I-5 closure (work zone set up).
  • July 13-end of 2026: months-long two right northbound I-5 lane reduction across the Ship Canal Bridge.
  • End of 2026 (TBD): weekend-long full northbound I-5 closure (work zone removal).

Weekend-long full closures for work zone set up or removal are weather dependent. Crews need dry weather to restripe lanes. That means if the weather is too rainy, crews will reschedule work.

Express lanes

Express lanes will run northbound only 24 hours a day during lane closures and reductions for Revive I-5 in 2026. Those traveling northbound or southbound to or through Seattle should prepare for potential delays, especially in the morning hours, as the express lanes will not be operating southbound as it typically does. Keeping express lanes northbound only allows WSDOT to balance the regional traffic system during this work. 

Traffic impacts

These lane reductions will have regional traffic impacts. Expect to see inconsistent travel patterns in the early weeks of work as people adjust to this new normal. Traffic will shift throughout the work zone so drivers should obey speed limits and be aware that there may be new northbound lane configurations between SR 520 to just past the Northeast 45th Street/Northeast 50th Street off-ramp.

We strongly encourage travelers to plan ahead for all trips. This can include finding an alternate route, changing the time of travel, allowing for more travel time or trying a different travel mode like transit. Transit is the best, most reliable way to get around when and wherever possible.