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Revive I‑5 Project’s Ship Canal Bridge Closures Double Seattle Commutes

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Lane Closures Begin in January, Extending Through June Starting in January, the Revive I‑5 project shut two northbound lanes on the Ship Canal Bridge to resurface the deck and complete additional work, creating severe traffic delays across King and Snohomish counties [1]. The closures are scheduled to remain in place through June, with a brief reopening for the World Cup before work resumes [1].

Southbound Travel Times Roughly Double Compared to 2025 INRIX analysis shows average southbound commute times are now about twice last year’s levels, matching the worst traffic days recorded in 2025 [1]. The congestion also spills onto parallel routes such as I‑405, Highway 99, and city streets through Montlake, extending delays beyond I‑5 itself [1].

Commuter Kelsie Carlos Experiences Up to Two‑Hour Trips Kelsie Carlos, who travels from Mountlake Terrace to Seattle’s SODO, reports her typical 45‑minute trip has stretched to one to two hours [1]. She now wakes three hours early or works from home to avoid the gridlock [1].

Express Lanes Remain Open but Underutilized; Future Southbound Closures Planned Northbound express lanes stay open 24/7 as a crash‑response corridor, yet see little traffic during the morning rush [1]. Construction runs through June, after which southbound lane closures are slated for 2027 and could be worse without the express lanes available in the afternoon [1].

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Timeline

Dec 3, 2025 – A fatal collision near Grand Mound blocks the right two northbound I‑5 lanes, the vehicle ignites, a victim is extricated then pronounced dead, and a fire truck is struck by a semi‑truck; all lanes reopen by 8:10 a.m. [11]

Dec 15, 2025 – Three semi‑trucks and a car crash near Olympia partially block northbound I‑5, prompting a detour via the Trosper exit; most lanes reopen by 9 a.m. after minor injuries are reported. [10]

Dec 22, 2025 – A disabled vehicle blocks two northbound I‑5 lanes near South Spokane Street; officials open the HOV lane to all traffic and warn of delays, with no injuries reported. [9]

Dec 25, 2025 – A multi‑vehicle crash near Union Street closes four southbound I‑5 lanes; all lanes are cleared by 9:30 p.m. and drivers are urged to consider alternate routes. [8]

Dec 31, 2025 – A semi‑truck rollover blocks westbound I‑90 near Rainier Ave S, causing minor injuries; the lane reopens around 3 p.m. while investigators examine the cause. [7]

Jan 9, 2026 – A crash involving a WSDOT attenuator truck and three other vehicles shuts four northbound I‑5 lanes near Federal Way; crews clear the scene by 5 p.m., ending a four‑mile backup and leaving no life‑threatening injuries. [6]

Jan 17, 2026 – King County Council Vice Chair Reagan Dunn writes to WSDOT urging a partial southbound opening of the I‑5 express lanes, citing “travel times over 90 minutes from Lynnwood to Seattle,” while northbound express lanes remain open 24/7 through June. [5]

Jan 23, 2026 – A five‑car collision near SE Eighth St in Bellevue blocks all northbound I‑405 lanes except the far‑right lane; no injuries are reported and the cause remains under investigation. [4]

Jan 31, 2026 – A debris spill in Seattle shuts two northbound express lanes, creating a backup that grows to five miles; cleanup crews clear all lanes by early evening and officials advise drivers to use alternate routes. [3]

Feb 4, 2026 – Northbound I‑5 lanes near 220th St SW reopen after a serious motorcycle crash; WSDOT corrects an earlier bulletin that had overstated the blockage, and emergency crews treat the rider’s serious injuries. [2]

Feb 26, 2026 – Revive I‑5 lane closures on the Ship Canal Bridge double southbound commute times, forcing commuters like Kelsie Carlos to spend “1–2 hours” on a trip that used to take 45 minutes; congestion spreads to I‑405, Highway 99 and Montlake streets, construction runs through June with a brief reopening for the World Cup, and southbound lane closures are slated for 2027. [1]

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