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Revive I-5 in Seattle might be taking this weekend off to accommodate all the events in town, but it’s just getting started in Everett.

The concrete on I-5 in Everett is just about as old as the concrete through Seattle, and it needs some serious TLC. This weekend, the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will begin to replace the concrete panels on northbound I-5 into Everett.

“These panels are more than 50 years old, and a number of them have cracked,” WSDOT’s Tom Pearce said. “We will also be going in and shaving off the high points (of ruts) so we get a more level freeway. It keeps the water from puddling and makes it a little safer for people to drive.”

Northbound I-5 will have significant lane reductions from north of 526 to downtown Everett all weekend.

“We’re going to be reducing northbound I-5 to two lanes, starting on Friday night, and that’s going to run through early Monday morning,” Pearce said. “Overnight, we will go down to a single lane from midnight to about 4:30 a.m.”

The off-ramps to Broadway and 41st will also be closed, but the HOV ramp to Broadway will remain open. All drivers can use it to access Broadway during this closure.

Pearce said drivers will need to make alternate plans to avoid long delays.

“It’s the same thing we [saw] when working in Seattle,” he said. “People are going to have to use alternate routes, or we’re going to see big backups.”

What about the weather? Pearce said it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

“The work we’re doing in Everett is somewhat weather-dependent,” he said. “We’re using a standard concrete up there, so we can tolerate a little bit of rain.”

The forecast does look good for this weekend.

But this Revive I-5 (Everett edition) is just the first project of a long list of work in Snohomish County.

“Next spring, we’re coming back,” Pearce said. “We have four expansion joints between 41st and US 2 that we need to replace.”

Then comes the construction of a new HOV lane from Everett to Marysville, a new interchange at 529 in Marysville that will give drivers an option other than being stuck behind a train, and the repainting and repair of the 529 bridges between Everett and Marysville.

Snohomish County drivers will soon be experiencing the same kind of construction congestion that Seattle and Tacoma have been dealing with for years.

Check out more of Chris’ Chokepoints.