Mother Nature throws weekend I-5 road work into disarray
Jul 8, 2016, 11:32 AM | Updated: 1:14 pm
The critical roadwork on southbound I-5 that was weather dependent just folded to Mother Nature.
Because of the rainy forecast this weekend, the Washington State Department of Transportation canceled work that would have narrowed I-5 to two lanes in SeaTac and Des Moines.
Find out more about upcoming road projects
鈥淲hen we have major work like what is planned for southbound I-5 we want to be sure everything can be completed prior to the Monday morning commute,鈥� project engineer Mike Askarian said. 鈥淪triping and paving require dry weather and this weekend鈥檚 forecast does not look promising.鈥�
Five weekends-worth of road closures were expected to begin Friday. Traffic backups were essentially guaranteed by the state.
Though the work isn’t starting yet on I-5, drivers can still expect delays along I-405, eastbound SR 520, and eastbound I-90.
Eastbound I-90 traffic between Rainier Avenue South and Bellevue Way Southeast will be routed to the express lanes from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday. Rainier Avenue on-ramps to eastbound I-90 will be closed.
In addition to the closure, the Mercer Island Summer Celebration is scheduled for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Seattle Sounders play the LA Galaxy at CenturyLink Field at noon on Saturday.
Seattle Storm plays Indiana at KeyAerna on Sunday at 4 p.m.
