Seattle drivers heading north on Interstate 5 will face major delays for the next month as the Ship Canal Bridge is reduced to just two lanes. The 24/7 lane reduction will begin Monday, July 21, and will last through Friday, Aug. 15, as part of the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) “Revive I-5” preservation project.

The northbound bridge, which carries more than 240,000 vehicles daily, is undergoing critical maintenance. Crews will replace expansion joints, resurface the bridge deck, repair damaged concrete, and upgrade drainage systems. WSDOT officials say the 60-year-old structure has seen over 200 emergency repairs since 2019—an unsustainable pace that prompted this summer’s broader overhaul.

“This is one of the most important and challenging preservation projects in the state,” said WSDOT Region Administrator Brian Nielsen. “The repairs are essential to extend the life of one of the region’s busiest and most vital transportation links.”

A full weekend closure of northbound I-5 preceded the current lane reduction, and another shutdown is scheduled for Aug. 15–18 to remove the construction zone. Throughout the project, the I-5 express lanes will remain open northbound around the clock to help offset congestion.

Drivers are advised to plan ahead, use alternate routes, or consider public transportation. The work is just the first phase of a multi-year effort: northbound lanes will see additional long-term closures in 2026, and southbound work is scheduled for 2027.