The One Where You Get Where You Want To Go: Seattle Summer Travel Guide

 

The one where they’re trying to figure it out… just like you planning your summer travel.

Summer in the Pacific Northwest is about as close to perfect as it gets – except for one thing, construction. And with Revive I-5, we have some of that happening.

Between closures, detours, transit, ferries and alternate routes, there are a lot of options and a lot of decisions. We know it can be overwhelming. The good news? No matter which option you choose, you won’t be stuck staring at a crumpled sheet of coffee-stained MapQuest directions, wondering if you missed your exit.

We’ve put together this travel guide to help you get where you want (and need) to go. Whether it’s a ballgame, a festival, a concert or just exploring somewhere new, a little planning goes a long way to make the most of your summer adventures.

Planning resources

• Community Transit – Plan My Trip
  Travelling to Seattle from Snohomish County? Community Transit can get you there.

• King County Metro - Trip Planner
  Enter your starting location and destination to find the best transit route.

• Pierce Transit – Trip Itineraries
  If venturing up from Tacoma and surrounding areas, check out Pierce Transit options.

• Sound Transit
  Find schedules and routes for the light rail, Sounder train, and express buses.

When you take advantage of a park and ride, you can drive to a nearby transit stop and head to Seattle without worrying about parking or inner-city traffic. It’s the best of both worlds.

Flip Your Trip is an excellent resource to get to and around Seattle. Check it out for everything you need to bike, scoot, walk, roll, transit, and share rides safely and easily.

Destination: Summer fun!

Seattle Center: You can get there by bus or rail. Take Link light rail to Westlake Station and then hop on the monorail. You’ll arrive right at the Armory. Metro routes 1, 2, 4, 8, 13, 24, 29, 31, 33 and the Rapid Ride D Line will also drop you off at Seattle Center. Rapid Ride E Line and routes 5 and 28 serve the Center along Aurora Avenue North. Get ready for your ride with the King County Metro trip planner.

T-Mobile Park/Lumen Field: Get down to SODO to experience the action. We recommend you walk, park and ride, or take a bus to your nearest light rail station (International District/Chinatown Station is a little closer to Lumen Field, while Stadium Station is a little closer to T-Mobile Park). Special Sounder Game Trains serve the area from as far as Everett and Lakewood. If you’re heading into downtown from West Seattle you can take the King County Water Taxi any day of the week, the Vashon Water Taxi runs on weekdays.

Seafair events: The multi-week event brings people together with fireworks, ships, and running (if you’re into that). Seafair’s main event (Seafair Weekend) happens Aug. 1-3. Seafair invites fans to use public transportation, including Metro and Link light rail, as well as ride-share and bicycle options. Guests arriving via Link light rail can get off at the Columbia City Station and take advantage of free round-trip shuttle service from the station to the park Friday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 3, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Seafair’s Torchlight Parade is back at its traditional evening start time this year. The parade kicks off at Alaskan Way and Broad Street before traveling south to its conclusion at the intersection of Alaskan Way and Yesler Way. Several Link light rail stations provide easy access to the route: Pioneer Square and Symphony Station are the closest.

Check out the Seafair website for the schedule and more info.

Prefer to drive?

I-5 express lanes will be northbound only for the duration of the work from July 18 to Aug. 18. They work for getting to the University District, Lake City, Northgate and then back to the I-5 mainline to all other northern destinations.

• July 18-21 and Aug. 15-18 (Full northbound I-5 lane closures from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street):
  Drivers on northbound I-5 heading north of downtown will have the option to take the express lanes. If you want to access downtown, you can use the eastbound I-90, Edgar Martinez Drive or the Dearborn, James or Madison Street exits. All other downtown exits from northbound I-5 will be closed

• July 21-Aug. 15 (Northbound I-5 two-lane reductions):
  Driving on mainline northbound I-5 is still an option. Plan for extra time as lane reductions across the Ship Canal Bridge, north of downtown Seattle, will likely slow your trip. All downtown exits will be open. The express lanes will also be available northbound.

Map showing full closure of northbound I-5 between I-90 and NE 45th Street in Seattle and the available options to drivers.

Heading south into downtown Seattle?

• Southbound I-5 will be open to traffic. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination as the express lanes will be running in the northbound direction during construction.

• Heads up commuters! I-5 express lanes usually operate southbound on weekday mornings. If you commute to downtown Seattle on weekday mornings, check traffic, plan alternates, and expect delays due to decreased capacity.

Heading west into downtown Seattle?

• July 18-21 and Aug. 15-18 (Full northbound I-5 closures from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street):
  Drivers can use westbound SR 520 and exit to southbound I-5 to get downtown. Drivers can also use I-90 to exit at Rainier Avenue South, 4th Avenue South, or Edgar Martinez Drive South.

• July 21-Aug. 15 (Northbound I-5 lane reductions):
  SR 520 or I-90 will be open and able to reach downtown.

But have you tried a ferry?

• Washington State Ferries from Bainbridge Island and Bremerton will take you right into the city.

• Washington State Ferries from Southworth and Vashon Island arrive in West Seattle. Be prepared for traffic and detours if headed north throughout construction.

• The King County Water Taxi takes you right into downtown Seattle from West Seattle and Vashon Island.

• The Kitsap Fast Ferry takes you right into downtown Seattle from Bremerton, Kingston, and Southworth.

Here are some final quick tips before we go:

• Take transit! It’s the best, most reliable way to get around – and youth 18 and under ride free.

• Check the WSDOT traffic app for real-time information to know before you go and plan your trip.

• Visit the Revive I-5: Ship Canal Bridge Preservation project page for more updates, closure info and a closer look at what’s next.

• Follow us on social media for real-time information and because we are funny over there.

The One With the Big Closure (And the Next Four Weeks)

 By: RB McKeon

No monkey business here — Revive I-5 is moving into the next phase. This weekend’s closure sets the stage for four weeks of work on the Ship Canal Bridge to help keep Seattle moving.

No monkey business here

We’ve been talking about this for months, and now it’s here. We’re swinging into the next phase of Revive I-5 with a full northbound closure this weekend, July 18 – 21, through Seattle. This work sets the stage for four weeks of lane reductions across the Ship Canal Bridge. It’s the kind of preservation work that keeps this vital connection through the heart of Seattle strong and moving for years to come.

What’s happening?

Starting at 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 18, through 5 a.m. Monday, July 21, all lanes of northbound I-5 between I-90 and NE 45th Street will close. This closure gives crews the space they need to restripe lanes and build a protective work zone on the Ship Canal Bridge. Once in place, that work zone allows the next big phase of preservation to get underway.

During the northbound I-5 closure from July 18–21, drivers heading north through Seattle will be routed onto the express lanes. Exits to Edgar Martinez Drive, I-90 eastbound, and downtown Seattle via Dearborn, James, and Madison streets will remain open. The first northbound express lanes exit is at NE 42nd Street in the University District.

But wait, there’s more

This isn’t over Monday morning. From Monday, July 21, through Friday, Aug. 15, northbound I-5 across the Ship Canal Bridge will be reduced to two lanes, 24/7. These lane reductions give our crews the space they need to safely complete this preservation work. The northbound express lanes will remain open 24/7 through Aug. 18 to help keep people moving through Seattle.

From July 21 through Aug. 15, northbound I-5 will be reduced to two lanes 24/7 between SR 520 and NE 45th Street for bridge deck and expansion joint repairs on the Ship Canal Bridge.

For southbound travelers, especially those used to relying on the morning express lanes, now’s the time to plan ahead. Southbound express lanes won’t be available in the mornings during this four-week stretch. That may mean adjusting your route, your timing or considering other options like transit.

This isn’t just a WSDOT project. It takes collaboration across agencies, organizations and communities to help keep Seattle moving through this kind of work.

We’ve been working closely with our friends at the City of Seattle, SDOT, King County Metro, Sound Transit, the Downtown Seattle Association, the Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce and many others to help people get where they need to go while this important preservation work is underway. Together, we’ve reviewed traffic control strategies, adjusted schedules, and shared information to help employers, travelers and communities plan ahead for this region wide impact.

Once this four-week stretch wraps up, we’ll need one more full closure of northbound I-5 from the night of Aug. 15 through the morning of Aug. 18, to remove the work zone, restripe the lanes and return the freeway to its usual configuration.

We know you’re not on a break (with I-5)

Summer is one of the best times to be in Seattle. The weather, the events, the festivals, the parks – this is when people want to be out and about, not stuck in traffic or figuring out detours. We know this isn’t easy. Closing lanes on I-5 through the heart of the city is disruptive. It changes routines, adds time to trips and creates challenges. But this is necessary work to keep the Ship Canal Bridge in good condition and avoid larger disruptions down the road.

Knowing before you go is the best way to stay ahead of closures and avoid any surprise detours.

Stay connected:

• Project webpage: wsdot.wa.gov/construction-planning/search-projects/revive-i-5-ship-canal-bridge-preservation
• WSDOT app: Real-time traffic updates and tools
• Social media: Follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, Threads and Reddit

A little planning now helps keep things moving later. This is the one with the big closure(s). The one with the lane reductions. The one that sets the stage for the future. And with your help and our partners’ help, we’re getting it done.

Diverging from the norm to deliver a diamond

Update: July 2025: Diamonds in the rough

The eight-day closure of State Route 18 July 17-25 will allow the switch to a diverging diamond at the interchange.

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By David Rasbach

Eight-day closure of SR 18 will build northern end of diverging diamond

They say diamonds are formed under pressure, and building the diverging diamond interchange at I-90 and SR 18 has been no exception. We know the closures, detours and delays have been tough. But all the time, planning and pressure has gone into shaping something that will last.

From July 17 to July 25, crews will complete the northern half of the diverging diamond interchange at I-90 and SR 18. This work requires another full closure of SR 18 in both directions at the I-90 interchange. It’s longer than the June closure because there’s more work to do, but when the road reopens on Friday morning, July 25, people will begin using the new diverging diamond configuration.

During an eight-day closure of SR 18 under the I-90 bridges, crews will build out the northern end of the new diverging diamond. When we reopen July 25, traffic will be shifted into the new configuration.   

SR 18 will be fully closed in both directions at the I-90 interchange. This closure will be in effect from 9 p.m. Thursday, July 17, through 5 a.m. Friday, July 25. No traffic will be allowed under the I-90 bridges during this time.

July 17-18 will include rolling slowdowns on I-90 and 10-minute traffic holds on SR 18 and Snoqualmie Parkway as crews stripe ramps and set the stage. As before, emergency responders will be allowed through the work zone. We’re working with freight partners to help them plan ahead and avoid using local roads as detour routes.

What’s happening during the closure?

Crews will complete a major phase of work on the northern part of the new interchange, including:

• Install drainage and electrical crossings
• Build concrete islands and curbing
• Set and program new traffic signals
• Tie in the new I-90 on-ramps
• Stripe lanes, install signs and switch to the new traffic pattern

This work compresses what would normally take months into a single week, minimizing long-term disruptions and lasting improvements to the corridor.

Detour and access information

While mainline I-90 will remain open, traffic using on- and off-ramps will be restricted:

• Eastbound I-90 off-ramp traffic can only turn right (south) onto westbound SR 18
• Westbound I-90 off-ramp traffic can only turn right (north) onto Snoqualmie Parkway
• No left turns will be allowed from either off-ramp
• Eastbound SR 18 traffic must detour via eastbound I-90 and loop around
• Southbound Snoqualmie Parkway traffic must detour via westbound I-90 and loop around

During the July 17-25 closure of SR 18, you can detour using eastbound and westbound I-90 and loop around at nearby interchanges – exit 20 (High Point Way) or exit 22 (Preston/Fall City) to the west of SR 18 or exit 27 (Southeast North Bend Way) east of SR 18 – to reach your destination.   

Maintaining access: Emergency responders will be allowed through the SR 18 work zone under the I-90 bridges during the closure.

Freight advisory: Freight haulers heading westbound on I-90 should plan ahead:

• Use Exit 22 (Preston/Fall City) to loop back to westbound SR 18
• Or continue west on I-90 to southbound I-405

Please do not use Snoqualmie or Issaquah city streets or Issaquah-Hobart Road. These streets are not suitable for semi-truck traffic.

Westbound I-90 freight traffic should either use exit 22 (Preston/Fall City) to loop back to SR 18 or continue on westbound I-90 to southbound I-405. Issaquah city streets and Issaquah-Hobart Road are not suitable for semi-trucks.   

Full detours will use:

• Exit 20 (High Point Way) or exit 22 (Preston-Fall City)
• Exit 27 (Southeast North Bend Way)

We expect delays, especially during peak travel times. Please plan ahead, leave early and consider alternate routes if possible. Real-time traffic updates are available via the WSDOT app and travel map.

People trying to reach Snoqualmie during the closure of SR 18 should use eastbound I-90, loop around to westbound I-90 at Southeast North Bend Way (exit) 27 and exit to SR 18/Snoqualmie Parkway.

During the closure of SR 18, people coming from Snoqualmie Pass will have to follow a detour to reach westbound SR 18, while people heading from eastbound SR 18 toward the pass can follow their normal route.

During the closure of SR 18, people coming from Snoqualmie and heading to Maple Valley or over Snoqualmie Pass will need to use westbound I-90 and loop around at the Preston or High Point interchanges.

During the closure of SR 18, people coming from south of the I-90/SR 18 interchange who need head west on I-90 will need to use eastbound I-90 and loop around at Southeast North Bend Way.

What’s next

Opening the diverging diamond marks a major milestone in the I-90/SR 18 interchange project.

Work still remains, as we’ll need to return in the next few weeks to add a top layer of asphalt throughout the diverging diamond, including the ramps. We’ll be back a few weeks after that for final lane striping. We’ll announce the details for that work once it’s finalized.

Though the diverging diamond will be open, it will not fully function as designed to allow traffic to flow until we complete widening SR 18 to two lanes in each direction south of I-90. The project will wrap up that work later this fall, and that’s when we expect you’ll see reduced congestion at this busy interchange. That’s when this diamond in the rough will be ready to shine.

Once complete later this summer, the new I-90/SR 18 diverging diamond interchange will improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and increase safety through one of the state’s busiest interchanges.

Preserving history: Saving a piece of the historic Puyallup River Bridge as demolition gets underway

By Kris Olsen

Say goodbye but plan for a “hello there!” to the historic, 100-year-old SR 167 Puyallup River Bridge. The bridge, sometimes called the Meridian Street Bridge, is going to be demolished beginning Wednesday, July 9. Well, most of it will be demolished, but we’re saving a piece for something special.

An important link
Built in 1925, the Puyallup River Bridge quickly became a vital link across the river, connecting the growing city of Puyallup to north Puyallup, Tacoma and beyond. It played a key role in the economic development of the area. The bridge helped people and goods move through the agricultural heart of Pierce County. Its construction went hand in hand with the region’s growth spurred by more cars and trucks and the popularity of the Washington State Fair, known then as the Puyallup Fair.

The Puyallup River Bridge not long after its construction in 1925.

Innovative design
Designed by the Union Bridge Company in Seattle, the bridge featured an innovative variation. It used steel truss that allowed for a longer span without requiring heavier materials in its construction. In recognition of its unique design, the 371-foot-long bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014.

Time takes its toll
But the bridge suffered many of the indignities of old age with failing parts. Time and weather had taken its toll on the steel, the concrete deck and the piers. It was no longer structurally sound or safe. We needed a new bridge over the river.

Two big moves
In July 2014, we reinforced the bridge and then moved it upstream by 60 feet. It continued to carry northbound traffic over the river during construction of a new bridge. When the new bridge opened in 2015, it was time for the old bridge to be removed from over the river.

Moving a 378-ton bridge is no small task. Over a weekend in August 2016, teams specializing in complex moves jacked the bridge up 21 feet. Then they carefully shifted it onto moving dollies and slowly pulled it north on SR 161 to a spot on our right of way near the SR 167 interchange.

The Puyallup River Bridge is slowly pulled up North Meridian Avenue in August 2016 to its final resting spot near SR 167

Then we offered it for sale. We also offered $1 million to anyone who met the qualifications to relocate, preserve and maintain the bridge. Still, we didn’t receive any qualified proposals.

With that, the efforts to save the bridge came to an end. Ever since, it’s been sitting in our right of way. We developed plans to one day demolish the bridge as part of our SR 167 Completion Project. That day has now arrived. To make room for the SR 167 expressway, the bridge is going to be cut apart and the steel recycled.

The Puyallup River Bridge rests in WSDOT right of way, just off North Meridian Avenue, where it will be demolished.   

Saving a piece of history

Not all of it will be destroyed though. The Puyallup City Council asked us to save and restore a small section of it. That section will be placed on the future spuyaləpabš Trail near the SR 167/North Meridian interchange as a historical heritage marker.

A portion of the historic Puyallup River Bridge will be preserved along the spuyaləpabš Trail near the SR 167/North Meridian interchange.

The bridge may be going, going, gone, but it’s never going to be forgotten.