The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has delayed a major rehabilitation project for the Ship Canal Bridge and a section of Interstate 5 (I-5) until 2026 due to budgetary constraints. The project, originally slated to begin in March 2024, will now focus on preserving the bridge deck and minimize traffic disruptions.
The Washington State Department of Transportation ( WSDOT ) has announced a delay in the major rehabilitation project planned for the Ship Canal Bridge and a section of Interstate 5 ( I-5 ). Originally slated to begin in March 2024, the project, which would have spanned eight miles between Yesler Way and Northgate, has been pushed back to 2026. The agency cited budgetary constraints and the need to prioritize the preservation of the bridge deck as the primary reasons for the delay.
The ambitious project, encompassing concrete panel replacement, repaving, and expansion joint upgrades, was anticipated to cause significant traffic disruptions. The original plan included a nine-month closure of two northbound lanes on the Ship Canal Bridge, along with the restriction of express lanes to northbound traffic only. These measures would have created a major bottleneck for drivers, especially those traveling southbound.Given the financial limitations, WSDOT has decided to focus the project's scope on the most critical aspect: maintaining the integrity of the Ship Canal Bridge deck. While the project's timeline has been adjusted, travelers can still expect some I-5 traffic impacts in 2025 as crews perform smaller-scale maintenance tasks that do not require long-term lane closures. WSDOT has assured the public that the bridge's structural integrity is not compromised and that the work will be focused on rehabilitation and preservation, not major reconstruction. Furthermore, the agency has committed to ensuring that all I-5 lanes will be open to traffic during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Seattle and Vancouver, with no full or long-term lane closures scheduled during the tournament
I-5 Ship Canal Bridge WSDOT Bridge Rehabilitation Traffic Delay 2026 FIFA World Cup
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