Lanes closed. Ramps shut down. Express lanes are running one way around the clock. Welcome to a new normal for the rest of the year now that the World Cup matches in Seattle are over and Revive I-5 construction is back. 

The state's busiest freeway will be under major construction from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street in Seattle, impacting traffic for miles in both directions. One great way to get around the traffic congestion is to take Link light rail. Here's the breakdown:

• Friday, July 10 at 9 p.m.: On- and off-ramps along this 5-mile stretch of northbound I-5 to begin closing.
• Friday, July 10 at 11:59 p.m.: All northbound lanes on I-5 from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street will close. Express lanes will operate only in the northbound direction.
• Monday, July 13 at 5 a.m.: Two northbound lanes and most ramps will reopen.
  • The two righthand lanes of northbound I-5 across the Ship Canal Bridge will remain closed until the end of 2026, with a mandatory reduced speed limit of 50 mph through the work zone.
  • Harvard Avenue East on-ramp to northbound I-5 will remain closed until mid-October.
  • Express lanes will remain open in the northbound direction 24 hours a day and will not flip to southbound for the morning commute through the end of the year. Expect heavy traffic if you are driving to Seattle from Snohomish County, especially during the morning commute.

WSDOT is advising commuters to avoid the area by taking alternative routes or by taking public transit.

The fastest and easiest solution is to jump on the 1 Line and 2 Line trains at Lynnwood City Center Station, Mountlake Terrace Station, or Shoreline North/185th Station. Community Transit provides direct bus service to all three stops. If the Eastside isn't your final destination, be sure to get off the 2 Line at the International District/Chinatown Station, which is the last stop before it crosses Lake Washington.

For more help navigating to or through the closure, check out Plan My Trip on our website.