Commuters in the Puget Sound region are facing a busy month of roadwork as the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) launches intensive maintenance projects. The focus is split between long-term bridge preservation on the Kitsap Peninsula and significant traffic shifts near the I-5/SR 520 interchange in Seattle.
Hood Canal Bridge: Three Weeks of Overnight Shutdowns The SR 104 Hood Canal Bridge is entering a series of total closures to allow crews to replace aging shock absorbers. These components are vital for managing the stress placed on the floating span by tides and winds.
- The Schedule: The bridge will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Monday through Thursday nights during the weeks of May 11, May 18, and May 26.
- No Exceptions: During these seven-hour windows, the bridge is entirely unavailable to all traffic, including emergency vehicles.
- Daytime Impacts: While the bridge remains open during the day, motorists should expect periodic 30- to 40-minute test openings as engineers calibrate the new locking mechanisms.
SR 520 and I-5: Permanent Ramp Changes and Lane Cuts In Seattle, drivers are adjusting to a new permanent configuration for the northbound I-5 ramp to eastbound SR 520, a move designed to create a safer work zone for the ongoing Portage Bay Bridge project.
- The New Flow: The new off-ramp now elevates over the old one, feeding drivers onto SR 520 in the left lane rather than the right. This requires northbound I-5 drivers to navigate a new lane-switching pattern if they intend to exit at Montlake Boulevard.
- Immediate Repairs: To fix a damaged safety attenuator near the new ramp, northbound I-5 will be reduced to a single lane near the Ship Canal Bridge during the late-night hours of Monday, May 11, into Tuesday morning.
- Future Closures: Looking ahead, WSDOT has signaled a full closure of eastbound SR 520 between I-5 and Montlake scheduled for the weekend of May 29 to June 1.
Strategic Timing WSDOT officials noted that this aggressive construction schedule is part of a broader effort to complete critical infrastructure upgrades before the region hosts matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Travelers are encouraged to check the WSDOT mobile app or sign up for bridge-specific email alerts, as the overnight work on the Hood Canal Bridge is weather-dependent and subject to last-minute rescheduling.