Heading south on I-5? Here’s where and when to expect delays
Drivers headed south on Interstate 5 will face delays this week as weekday lane closures continue, along with heavy traffic from summer events and road work in the Seattle area.
Lane reductions related to repairs could cause traffic backups, the Washington State Department of Transportation said in its weekly roundup of road projects in Whatcom, Skagit and Island counties.
Seafair returns to Seattle this weekend after a two-year pandemic hiatus, as well as several Mariners games and a Seahawks practice at Lumen Field near a construction zone on I-5 in Seattle’s Sodo neighborhood.
Crews working for WSDOT planned to start lane reductions about 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, and detours around the work area will continue on southbound I-5 until 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 8.
Meanwhile, in Whatcom County, a full closure on East Badger Road near Double Ditch Road has been extended through Sunday, Aug. 7, as workers replace culverts to allow better access for migrating salmon.
A signed detour guides drivers around the work zone using Pole Road, Highway 9 and Guide Meridian will remain in place until the road reopens. Crews are extending this closure to complete the work in advance of the Northwest Washington Fair which begins on Thursday, Aug. 11.
During the week of Aug. 8, eastbound and westbound traffic between Guide Meridian and Double Ditch Road will alternate through a single lane between midnight and 6 a.m. to allow crews to finish work on the Pepin Creek and Duffner Ditch. This work is not expected to affect fair traffic since it will begin two hours after the fair closes and end four hours before the fair opens each day.
Elsewhere in Whatcom County:
▪ Northbound and southbound traffic on Highway 9 at Nugents Corner to the U.S.-Canada border crossing will alternate through a single lane for crack seal and pavement repair from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly Sunday, Aug. 7, through Thursday, Aug. 11.
▪ A single lane of southbound I-5 at the Samish River Bridge just south of the Bow weigh station will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, and Thursday, Aug. 11, for work on the Samish River Bridge deck overlay project.
▪ Mosquito Lake Road will be closed 2.4 miles east of Valley Highway at Acme starting August 8 to replace a culvert to allow easier fish passage. Construction is anticipated through early September. A signed detour will use the Mount Baker Highway the Valley Highway.
Continuing projects
▪ Whatcom County Public Works continues its annual summer chip-sealing to resurface roads. These roads are scheduled for resurfacing during the week of Aug. 8-11: Central Road, East Pole Road, Fazon Road, Goshen Road, Lunde Road, Martin Road, Mission Road north of Smith Road, Roberts Road, Salakanum Road.
▪ Marine Drive work continues north of Bellingham with lane closure delays of up to 20 minutes between Alderwood and Locust avenues for the next several weeks. Detour signs are in place.
▪ Expect delays through summer on the North Cascades Highway (Highway 20) between Sedro-Woolley and Newhalem as flood-damage repairs continue.
Eastbound and westbound traffic on Highway 20 between Dexter Lane and Newhalem Street will alternate through a single lane for crack seal and pavement repair from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily Monday, Aug. 8, through Thursday, Aug. 11.
Eastbound and westbound traffic on Highway 20 between Race Road and West Troxell Road will alternate through a single lane while crews mow in this area from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily.
Eastbound and westbound traffic on Highway 20 at the Baker River Bridge in Concrete will alternate through a single lane for routine bridge inspection during daylight hours Tuesday, Aug. 9.
▪ WSDOT crews will be working on I-5 during weekends all summer long in Seattle.
Work to replace bumpy expansion joints on southbound I-5 will continue through the end of September.
▪ If you’re heading to Canada, officials urge travelers to check border wait times. Early morning hours have less congestion. Travelers should have their ArriveCAN receipt; passport or travel documents, proof of vaccination; and identification for everyone in the vehicle.
