Weekend Traffic Outlook: SR 99 Squeeze, UW Graduation, I-5 Delays

SEATTLE, WA — It's going to be a nice summer weekend in Puget Sound, and that means lots of bad traffic.

Between highway construction and major events, there will be delays up and down the sound almost all weekend. Here's what to look out for over the weekend of June 14 to 16:

I-5 northbound near Nisqually/Lacey

A single lane of northbound I-5 across the Nisqually River Bridge will close at 10 p.m. Friday and won't reopen until 4 a.m. Monday. The speed limit across the bridge will be reduced to 35 MPH. WSDOT says to expect "significant" backups.

UW Commencement

About 5,500 University of Washington students and 40,000 family members will converge on Husky Stadium Saturday morning. It will be best to avoid the area altogether, unless you're on foot or bike.

Doors open to parents at 12:30 p.m., and the grads will take the field beginning at about 1:30 p.m., according to UW. The ceremony will end by 5:30 p.m.

Aurora Bridge squeeze

The SR 99 Aurora Bridge (real name: the George Washington Bridge) will be cut down to just two lanes beginning Friday night at 10 p.m. The closure lasts until 5 a.m. Monday. WSDOT crews will be making repairs and paving the bridge.

Bonus SR 99 closure! On Saturday morning, the two right lanes of SR 99 over the 1st Avenue South Bridge in Seattle will be closed 6 to 11 a.m.

I-5 in downtown Seattle

Beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, the right lane of I-5 between Lakeview Boulevard East and Mercer Street will be closed until Monday at 5 a.m. The southbound I-5 off-ramp to Mercer Street will also be closed.

I-5 Puyallup River Bridge lane switch

There's a big change coming to I-5 near the Tacoma Dome this weekend. You can read more about that here, but these are the delays to expect this weekend, according to WSDOT:

• Northbound I-5 exit 135 to State Route 167 will close from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Saturday.
• I-705, A Street and SR 7 on-ramp to northbound I-5 will close from 11:59 p.m. to 5 a.m. Saturday.
• Northbound I-5 exit 134 to Portland Avenue will close from 11:59 p.m. to 6 a.m. Saturday.