Traffic Headaches Abound This Weekend Around Seattle: What To Know

SEATTLE — Drivers will have another busy weekend of roadwork to contend with around the Seattle area this weekend, including a full closure of westbound Interstate 90 on Mercer Island and two projects scheduled on Interstate 5.

The Washington State Department of Transportation asked drivers to plan ahead as the closures coincide with several major events, including home games for the Seahawks and Huskies, along with concerts scheduled at Climate Pledge Arena and WAMU Theater. Officials said the I-90 closure was supposed to happen earlier in the summer but supply chain issues forced a timeline change.

"[E]specially if you're traveling into Seattle from the east side, be aware of the I-90 closure," WSDOT warned Wednesday. "Even the Seahawks are going to have to take an alternate route. These projects are too large to get done just via overnight closures, and we’re getting to the end of the warm, dry season so we’re working to get as much done as we can."

Here are the key things to know:

Interstate 90 (Expansion joint repairs)

• Some westbound lane closures will begin at 2 p.m. Thursday ahead of a full westbound closure scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Friday on the west side of Mercer Island. All westbound lanes will remain closed until the Monday morning commute. The path for pedestrians and cyclists will remain open.
• Drivers heading west across Lake Washington will need to use State Route 520 or Interstate 405.

Interstate 5 (SR 520/I-5 Express Lanes Connection Project)

• The southbound exit to Mercer Street will close from 9 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday.
• The express lanes will be fully closed starting at 11 p.m. Friday, reopening by 4 a.m.Monday.

Drivers can follow updates on the closures via WSDOT's Twitter feeds and traffic app.