Local

Weekend I-5 lane closures in Seattle cause backups

SEATTLE — The Revive I-5 project is happening this weekend after being pushed back because of bad weather.

Northbound I-5 will be reduced from four to two lanes to lay down some new concrete and repair aging expansion joints. Overnight, only a single lane will remain open.

Saturday, northbound I-5 had backups in the work zone area around 5 miles long.

The closures between the West Seattle Bridge and the Convention Center in Seattle start Friday at 9 p.m. and run until 5 a.m. Monday. Nearby freeway ramps will also close.

Delays are expected to continue across the Puget Sound region during the weekend work.

The lane reductions will put some added pressure on alternate routes to I-5 like northbound SR 99 and surface streets such as First Avenue South, Fourth Avenue South and Airport Way South.

Scroll down to continue reading

More news from KIRO 7

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

“We need weekend travelers to avoid I-5 this weekend,” said WSDOT Traffic Engineer Mike Swires. “However, delays won’t be limited to just I-5. As drivers use alternate routes, congestion could build region-wide.”

WSDOT says I-5 through King County, the state’s busiest stretch of road, was built in the 1960s and the concrete pavement was only intended to last 25 years.

Follow this link for more information on the project.