Seattle construction pause ends—what the renewed I-5 work and detours mean for commutes

Seattle’s FIFA-era construction pause ends on July 7, when SDOT says construction work will resume on the city’s streets and sidewalks. That means more construction signs, cones and detours showing up across the places affected by the pause.

But for drivers heading into downtown and along the I-5 corridor, the next disruption is already scheduled: WSDOT’s Revive I-5 work brings a full northbound I-5 closure from July 10–13 near the Ship Canal Bridge—followed by ongoing two-lane (two-right-lane) conditions through end of 2026.

What changes July 7 on Seattle streets and sidewalks

SDOT says the FIFA Construction Pause runs from June 8 to July 7, 2026. Starting July 7, crews can return to work in the right-of-way, and the signs, cones and detours that came during the pause are expected to return.

Revive I-5: the July 10–13 northbound closure plan

SDOT says northbound I-5 will close near I-90 for the weekend beginning Friday night, July 10. SDOT also notes the express lanes will be northbound-only 24 hours a day.

For people going to downtown Seattle, SDOT directs drivers to use exits for Edgar Martinez Drive or Dearborn, James or Madison streets, and says there are no express-lanes exits to downtown during the closure period.

SDOT’s published ramp closures leading up to the work zone include:

• The westbound SR 520 off-ramp to Roanoke Street will close as early as 10 p.m. Friday.
• All mainline northbound I-5 off-ramps close by 11:59 p.m. Friday, including Seneca Street, Olive Way, Mercer Street, Lakeview Boulevard, Eastbound SR 520, and Northeast 45th Street/Northeast 50th Street.

When the freeway and ramps open on Monday morning, July 13, SDOT says mainline I-5 will be reduced to two lanes, with the express lanes continuing to operate northbound-only 24 hours a day.

After Monday: two-lane Ship Canal Bridge conditions through end of 2026

WSDOT’s Revive I-5 schedule says the work zone shifts after the July 10–13 closure so that northbound I-5 is reduced to two right lanes across the Ship Canal Bridge from July 13 to the end of 2026 as crews continue preservation work.

WSDOT also warns that express lanes running northbound-only 24 hours a day during these lane reductions can still leave drivers with delays—especially during morning hours—and that even a single collision or disabled vehicle can disrupt traffic when the freeway narrows.

Reader checklist for your next I-5 trips

• July 7: Expect renewed street and sidewalk construction activity citywide in paused zones.
• Plan around northbound I-5 during July 10–13: The full northbound closure starts Friday night and reopens Monday morning.
• Downtown-bound guidance: Use Edgar Martinez Drive or Dearborn, James or Madison; SDOT says there are no express-lanes exits to downtown during the closure period.
• For the months after: Build in extra buffer time—WSDOT has a two-right-lane (two-lane) setup across the Ship Canal Bridge through end of 2026.

Before you leave, check SDOT and WSDOT travel updates as the weekend approaches, since weekend closures depend on setup and weather.

Sources

• Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) — Keeping Seattle Moving: 2026 FIFA World Cup Construction Pause (construction resumes July 7)
• SDOT Blog — Seattle’s FIFA construction pause ends; WSDOT’s Revive I-5 resumes this weekend (July 10–13 closure details)
• WSDOT Engage — Revive I-5 (Ship Canal Bridge preservation schedule; July 10–13 closure window and post-reopening lane reductions)
• KIRO 7 News Seattle — Revive I-5 closures return to Seattle (weekend shutdown recap and ramp closure timing)