Revive I-5 Work Returns This Weekend, Depending On Weather

SEATTLE, WA — Cherry blossoms, seasonal allergies, earlier sunrises, and the return of roadwork are all sure signs of spring in the Seattle area.

This weekend, one of the biggest and most painful road projects starts back up. WSDOT's Revive I-5 project will cause closures and detours in the southbound lanes between downtown Seattle and Georgetown starting Friday night — that is, if it doesn't rain.

This season, WSDOT contractors will repair worn out concrete panels and smooth pavement in the four miles between Spring and Lucille streets.

Thankfully, much of this work will be done during overnight hours, beginning around 8 p.m. weeknights and 9 p.m. on weekends. WSDOT recommends avoiding that stretch of I-5 during the overnight hours. Last year, I-5 was fully closed several times in the downtown area for work.

Here's what WSDOT says to expect:

• The south end of the collector-distributor, which is currently one lane near the Edgar Martinez Drive South/westbound I-90 on-ramp to southbound I-5, will be temporarily re-striped to add a second lane for southbound traffic.
• The temporary second lane will use a portion of the Edgar Martinez Drive South/westbound I-90 on-ramp merge lane; both on-ramps will be closed when the temporary lane is open.
• The temporary second lane will be closed during non-working hours, while the ramps will be open.