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Metro prepping to keep things moving during August I-5 closure

It's not too soon to think about how you’ll get around during August’s three-week closure of a busy section of Interstate 5. King County Metro Transit has been planning for more than six months on how it will move buses and people through the affected area – now it’s your turn to find your best options for travel.

Northbound I-5 will be severely congested during the August closure.

Starting Friday, Aug. 10, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will carry out 19 continuous days of intense construction on northbound I-5 between Spokane Street and Interstate 90. For most of the time, there will only be two or three lanes open in the northbound direction. Crews will close an additional lane nightly between midnight and 4:30 a.m.

During the closure, crews will replace the expansion joints on northbound I-5 between Spokane Street and I-90, and resurface the northbound lanes. The crews will also periodically close ramps in the project area, including the on-ramp from Spokane Street and the exit to I-90.

Traffic congestion resulting from the August closure is expected to be considerable, particularly for those who commute into Seattle from communities to the south such as Des Moines, Auburn, Federal Way and Tacoma. As drivers try to find alternate ways north, other highways and surface streets will likely also become crowded.

WSDOT is estimating that during the first half of the 19 days it will close two of five lanes, cutting freeway capacity by 40 percent. In the second half, three of five lanes will close, shrinking capacity by 60 percent. The agency is urging people who usually drive alone to find another way to travel during the closure.

One of the bridge's expansion joints as seen from below. (courtesy WSDOT)

Metro and other transit agencies are planning both for the closure, and to accommodate more riders who will be looking to leave their cars at home. Also, no Metro routes will be traveling northbound on that stretch of I-5 during the closure. So, bus passengers should be aware that about two dozen Metro bus routes – and several from Sound Transit – will be detoured to surface streets to travel north into Seattle, Capitol Hill, and the University District.

Generally, those buses will be rerouted from I-5 near Boeing Field to Airport Way South and East Marginal Way/Airport Way South. They will not be making extra stops, and will express as much as possible through the detour area. But since widespread traffic congestion is anticipated, bus riders should expect delays on any northbound trip.

To plan now for the August closure of I-5:

• Visit WSDOT’s project website for information about the construction project.
• Visit Metro Online's Travel Options page to find out about all the transit service and commuting options in your area.
• Visit Metro's online Trip Planner. The Trip Planner itineraries will not reflect service disruptions due to construction, but you can get a good idea of your basic trip options, then check Metro Online for revisions (see next item).
• Visit Metro Online's Service Exceptions page and look for routes affected by the I-5 project. Most will experience routing revisions and possible delays, but not many missed stops.
• Visit RideshareOnline.com to find a vanpool, vanshare or carpool that best suits your needs. Ridesharing could be a great long-term solution, as well.

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Updated: July 10, 2007

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