Traffic through downtown Seattle was a mess on Saturday because two of three lanes of SB I-5 between Pine Street and I-90 are closed for the holiday weekend for construction work.
WSDOT contractor crews are replacing four aging expansion joints.
No matter where you're traveling it's going to be a region-wide traffic issue because if you taking I-5 down to only one lane southbound, you're going to see effects on other highways. If people don't adjust their plans and take alternate routes, we could see back-ups starting around Northgate, said Bart Treece, WSDOT spokesperson.
Drivers will still be able to access I-90, Airport Way South, Fourth Avenue South, and South Dearborn Street. WSDOT says at least one lane of SB I-5 will stay open at all times through the construction zone. The I-5 express lanes will operate in the southbound direction from 8:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
The closure will last through 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18.
Tracy Taylor suggests the following alternate routes around the closure:
- Highway 99
- 1st Avenue South
- 2nd Avenue and connect to 4th Avenue South
- 5th Avenue through downtown Seattle
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