WSDOT: I-5 Ship Canal Bridge work delayed to 2026, World Cup cited
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced a significant shift in the timeline for the Revive I-5 project, specifically the work planned for the Ship Canal Bridge.
According to a WSDOT release, major preservation work on the bridge, originally slated to begin in March 2025, will now be pushed to 2026 due to budget constraints and the need to minimize traffic impacts during the FIFA World Cup.
The change comes as WSDOT works to align its construction spending with available funding. The agency cites a significant gap driven by changes in the financial environment.
The department said focusing on the bridge deck's preservation is the highest priority.
According to officials, the shift in schedule also allows WSDOT more time to collaborate with community and business partners.
While the long-term lane closures are postponed, travelers can still expect some traffic disruptions this year.
WSDOT said it will conduct overnight work, weekend closures, and possible lane reductions in 2025. Contractors will also complete work that doesn't require extended closures, in preparation for the major rehabilitation in 2026.
'We are actively working with our contractor to refine the project to align construction spending with available funding and balance long-term preservation needs while minimizing the impacts to the public,' WSDOT said in the release.
Considering Seattle's role as a 2026 World Cup host city, all lanes of I-5 will reopen for several weeks starting in early June 2026.
Construction will resume in mid-July 2026 once the Seattle-area World Cup matches have finished.
WSDOT acknowledged that delaying the project could increase the risk of emergency repairs on the bridge, noting there have been nearly 200 emergency repairs since 2019.
Despite the delay, the agency emphasized that the bridge's structure is not compromised; the project will focus on rehabilitating the roadway surface.
'This pivot is the best path forward, and it's what's needed right now,' WSDOT said. 'The work on the Ship Canal Bridge remains our primary focus, and it's an important step in a much larger effort to Revive I-5.'
The agency said they are committed to working with the public and regional partners to complete the project properly.
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