SEATTLE, Wash. — After months of construction and traffic impacts, northbound Revive I-5 work on the Ship Canal Bridge is coming to an end.
WSDOT Northwest Region Communications Manager RB McKeon said crews completed extensive work on the bridge deck.
“We really got down into the deck, did the repairs that needed to be made to all parts of the bridge, did some expansion joint repair,” McKeon said.
The construction has had a significant impact on traffic throughout the project. The work is finishing two months early, and traffic analysts say drivers could see noticeable improvements to their commutes once the lanes reopen.
INRIX Transportation Analyst Bob Pishue said drivers on I-5 saw about a 20% decrease in travel speeds, with the morning commute typically experiencing the biggest impact. Seattle’s significant reverse commute also meant southbound traffic heading into downtown was affected later in the day.
The effects extended beyond I-5. Pishue said INRIX saw a 16% decrease in speeds on I-405 during the project.
Once WSDOT reopens the lanes, Pishue expects drivers to see some relief.
“Drivers heading into the city during the morning commute hours should see a 10 to a 20 percent increase in speed,” Pishue said.
Before that happens, drivers will have to get through one more major closure.
WSDOT plans to fully close northbound I-5 between I-90 and the University District from 11:59 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday. The closure depends on the weather.
After the closure, McKeon said I-5 will return to its normal configuration, and the express lanes will resume normal operations.
While the completion of the northbound work should bring relief, Revive I-5 construction is expected to return next year on the southbound side. Pishue said that phase could create another challenge for commuters, particularly during the afternoon.
“This set of construction is going to be affecting the afternoon commute the most,” Pishue said. “So, since we don’t have those northbound express lanes, heading northbound in the afternoon is going to be more jammed.”
Drivers who are able to do so should consider adjusting their schedules or combining trips next year to minimize the amount of time they spend on the road.