Get ready for another round of 'Months of Hell' on Seattle's I-5
After barely surviving last year's 'Month of Hell', Seattleites are bracing for another challenging period ahead. The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has announced that the northbound I-5 will undergo significant closures, impacting commuters for several months.
The 'Months of Hell' will commence this weekend with a full closure of the northbound I-5 from downtown Seattle to the University District. WSDOT plans to set up a work zone across the Ship Canal Bridge, requiring a weekend-long closure.
Starting next Monday, the two left lanes of the northbound Ship Canal Bridge will be closed 24/7, a situation that will persist for a full four months. This is just the beginning of the 'Hell' as another four-month phase of lane closures is on the horizon.
Tom Pearce, a communications specialist for WSDOT, provided some insight into the upcoming work. He mentioned that they will work for approximately four months and then pause until the World Cup arrives, causing further disruptions. After the World Cup, another weekend-long closure will reset the work zone, followed by a focus on the right lanes of the northbound Bridge, leading to another four-month closure.
The impact of these closures last summer was severe, causing daily one-hour delays for southbound I-5 drivers. With the express lanes open, southbound drivers experienced a five-mile backup to the Edmonds exit, leading to Northgate. This year, WSDOT aims to utilize data from the previous closures to mitigate congestion.
Here's a breakdown of the upcoming closures:
- Northbound I-5 will be closed throughout the downtown corridor this weekend.
- When it reopens on Monday, only the right two lanes will be accessible until June 5th.
- That weekend, the entire northbound freeway will close to remove the work zone.
- The work will temporarily halt during the World Cup until July 10th.
- From July 10th onwards, northbound I-5 will be reduced to just two left lanes until the end of the year, with an unspecified end date.
These closures are expected to cause significant delays in Seattle, so it's advisable to adjust schedules and leave at least an hour earlier than usual. Additionally, those considering the light rail as an alternative should plan accordingly, as the parking lot often fills up by 7 a.m., and this issue is likely to worsen.
Stay tuned for further updates and be prepared for another challenging commute in Seattle.
