Halloween Weekend Brings Major I-5 and I-405 Closures in Puget Sound

Key points

• Northbound I-5 will close from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street starting at 11:59 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday.
• Southbound I-405 will close from SR 527 to SR 522 starting at 10 p.m. Friday until 4 a.m. Monday.
• The I-5 closure allows crews to remove the Revive I-5 work zone on the Ship Canal Bridge.
• The I-405 closure facilitates the removal of a pedestrian bridge at the Canyon Park Park and Ride.
• A subsequent closure of northbound I-405 is planned for Nov. 6-9 to remove the remaining bridge section.

Background

This weekend's closures follow a series of infrastructure disruptions in the Puget Sound region earlier in October. In early October, coordinated weekend closures affected I-5, I-405, and SR 520 due to simultaneous infrastructure projects. Additionally, Washington State Ferries experienced a 72% service suspension in early October due to an engineer sick-out, highlighting ongoing strain on regional transit alternatives.

How outlets are covering it

All three sources, MyNorthwest.com, KOMO, and FOX 13 Seattle, report the same core facts regarding the closure times and locations. MyNorthwest.com emphasizes the weather dependency for the I-5 work zone removal, noting that if conditions are not dry, lane reductions may persist. KOMO provides specific details on the work involved, such as reconfiguring lanes and picking up barriers, and notes that express lanes will remain open until 4 a.m. Monday. FOX 13 Seattle focuses heavily on the I-405 closure and the long-term impact of the pedestrian bridge closure until 2028.

Why it matters

These closures will significantly impact daily commuting and travel across the Puget Sound region, particularly for those relying on the primary north-south corridors. The removal of the Revive I-5 work zone marks a major milestone in the bridge preservation project, while the pedestrian bridge removal is a critical step in the expansion of I-405 through Bothell. Travelers must plan for substantial delays or utilize public transit to avoid congestion.

What to watch

If weather conditions prevent the completion of the I-5 work zone removal this weekend, the two right lanes will remain closed until a suitable weekend. Following the current closures, crews will continue bridge maintenance and drainage work on the Ship Canal Bridge. Additionally, northbound I-405 lanes will close from Nov. 6-9 to remove the remaining portion of the pedestrian bridge.