Weekend I-5 lane closures expected to cause big backups

SEATTLE — Drivers may find long delays on Interstate 5 in Seattle this weekend because of lane closures for construction work.

The Department of Transportation will close three of the five northbound lanes of I-5 between the South Albro and Spokane Street exits in the Beacon Hill area.

Though it’s only a quarter-mile stretch, WSDOT expects the closure will cause big delays that could also affect Interstate 90 and Interstate 405.

Drivers are asked to take alternate routes.

“We have an aging highway system and this highway, I-5, is about as old as the Space Needle, which was built 50 years ago.  And these four expansion joints are part of a larger project where we’re going to replace the joints along the I-5-West Seattle corridor,” said WSDOT spokesman Bart Treece.

WSDOT said it will replace the four expansion joints because they pose a risk to drivers and they want to fix them before they become a problem.

The lane closures start at 8 p.m. Friday and end at 5 a.m. on Monday.

The same closure will occur next weekend as well.  Get more details on the closure from WSDOT.

KIRO