Seattle ‘Revive I-5′ lane closures canceled this weekend, but other closures still happening

SEATTLE — Plans to replace worn expansion joints on southbound Interstate 5 in Seattle over 16 weekends have again been canceled due to rainy weather, the Washington State Department of Transportation tweeted Friday.

Seattle I-5 lane reductions planned

Crews were planning on replacing several expansion joints near Spokane Street starting Friday night, but once again, the work was postponed due to rain, as it was last weekend.

Not only do old expansion joints make for a bumpy ride, but they can also pop up, damage tires and require emergency road work.

Last year, WSDOT replaced pavement in the area as the first part of the Revive I-5 project. This year, crews will replace 35 expansion joints.

“This is really important work, as we replace expansion joints in this area. Keep in mind I-5 was built in the 60s. Thirty-two of the 35 expansion joints in this work area are original expansion joints,” said WSDOT spokesperson Amy Moreno.

WSDOT said unless drivers want to endure long delays, they should find alternate routes or take public transportation.

“Plan ahead. You can always get to where you need to go, you can consider things like using the light rail, taking the bus. Alternative forms of transportation, even driving at a different time. Possibly before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m.,” said Moreno.

WSDOT said there will be about 16 weekends of lane reductions that will continue through summer. Work is planned for every weekend, weather dependent, except for the following:

• Memorial Day, May 28 to 30
• University of Washington commencement, June 11 to 12
• Independence Day, July 2 to 4
• Labor Day, Sept. 3 to 5

Each expansion joint takes roughly 55 hours to repair and rain could cause delays or lead to additional postponements.

Montlake Bridge closed Saturday morning

Both directions of the Montlake Bridge, the westbound State Route 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard and the left turn lane from the eastbound SR 520 offramp to Montlake Boulevard will be closed from 7:30 a.m. until 10 a.m. Saturday for this year’s Beat the Bridge to Beat Diabetes Run.

Mountlake Terrace southbound I-5 closure this weekend

Construction on southbound I-5 will cause the freeway to close in Mountlake Terrace. Sound Transit said the southbound lanes will be fully closed overnight this weekend between 220th Street Southwest and 236th Place Southwest in the Mountlake Terrace area while crews work on the Lynnwood Link Light Rail extension. Southbound traffic will be detoured off the freeway. Northbound I-5 will remain open.

The closures are scheduled for:

• Friday, May 13, through Saturday, May 14, from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Saturday, May 14, through Sunday, May 15, 11 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
• Sunday, May 15, through Monday, May 16, 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.

See a map of the closure area at this link.

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