Aurora Avenue Bridge Squeeze: Repaving Project Starts

SEATTLE, WA — The Seattle Squeeze returns this weekend — and this time, the squeeze will be a little more literal.

The Aurora Avenue Bridge in Seattle will drop down to one lane in each direction for repaving work, according to WSDOT. The lane closures begin Friday night and will last into early on Monday morning. This is the first of 10 weekend closures scheduled throughout this summer along the bridge.

Here's what the work will look like: the three northbound lanes from the south end of the bridge (near Canlis) will be closed until just south of the Stone Way exit in Fremont. Traffic will travel in one lane north and south between Halladay Street in Queen Anne and North 34th Street in Fremont.

As part of the work, WSDOT crews will be installing a waterproof layer that needs to dry for a full 24 hours. That's part of the reason the work will take all weekend. It's also a factor in whether the work happens at all. If it rains, the work will have to be postponed. The forecast appears clear and dry through at least Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

WSDOT is asking drivers to avoid delays — which could stretch all the way to Green Lake — by taking the bus, carpooling, or riding a bike.

The next Aurora Avenue Bridge lane closures will happen June 14 to 17, June 28 to July 1, and July 12 to July 15. This weekend's closures will begin at 10 p.m. Friday and last until 5 a.m. Monday, if the weather allows.