u/wsdot

FALL BALL IS BACK Y’ALL. And what better way to celebrate than with a steaming hot kupp of closures? We’ve got a full closure of southbound I-405 in Bothell, ongoing northbound I-5 lane reductions and an overnight closure of the I-5 express lanes in Seattle. Add Seahawks and Huskies football games to the mix, and you’ll definitely want a game plan before heading out. 

-BOTHELL: SB I-405 will CLOSE from 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 to 4 a.m. Monday, Oct. 12 between SR 527 and SR 522. The following ramps will also close at this time: SR 527 on-ramp to SB I-405, NE 195th on-/off-ramps to I-405 and SR 522 off-ramp to SB I-405. Crews will use this closure to work on drainage, pavement reconstruction and bridge repair.

-SEATTLE: NB I-5 express lanes will CLOSE overnight from 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 to 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10 to complete drainage work underneath the Ship Canal Bridge. The two right lanes of NB I-5 and the SB express lanes across the bridge also remain closed around-the-clock. 

Before you grab your Paint Map pitchforks, we know there’s more happening this weekend than football. But if you couldn’t already tell, this isn’t a traditional Paint Map, so we didn’t pack this one with all the usual drawings. Consider this our little fall-football-freeway crossover episode.

You know the drill. Plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to get where you're going. GO HAWKS and GO DAWGS! 

Seattle, let's talk about this weekend.

 From 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, to 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 5, two major closures will be happening at the same time:

I-5 EXPRESS LANES: CLOSED

The I-5 express lanes will close for the entire weekend while crews continue drainage work underneath the Ship Canal Bridge as part of Revive I-5.

The express lanes have been doing some heavy lifting this year, running northbound 24/7 while northbound I-5 remains reduced to two lanes across the Ship Canal Bridge.

 But for this work, we need the express lanes themselves.

 Closing them gives crews access to sections underneath the bridge that can't be reached from existing scaffolding. They'll connect drains installed during an earlier phase of the project to the bridge's permanent drainage system.

Last time, we said we’d cross that bridge when we got there. Well, we’re here. This is the second and final planned weekend-long express lane closure for this year. 

 EASTBOUND SR 520: I-5 TO MONTLAKE CLOSED

At the exact same time, eastbound SR 520 will close between I-5 and Montlake Boulevard. The Montlake Boulevard on-ramp to EB SR 520 will remain open. 

 Crews will use this closure to prepare sections of the existing bridge and what remains of the old off-ramp, which closed back in June, for removal.

One important distinction: eastbound SR 520 is NOT closed across Lake Washington.

If you're already in Montlake, the Montlake Boulevard on-ramp to eastbound SR 520 will remain open and you can still travel east across the lake.

 But if you're coming from I-5, you won't be able to hop onto eastbound SR 520. You'll need to take an alternate route.

 SO... WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE WEEKEND?

With the I-5 express lanes unavailable and access to eastbound SR 520 from I-5 closed, expect longer and less predictable trips in and around Seattle. This weekend may require a little more planning than simply picking your usual alternate.

 Other routes will likely be busier as people find their way around the closures, so check your entire route before you leave rather than assuming your usual alternate will be the best alternate.

 Give yourself plenty of extra time, consider transit or other modes when they work for your trip and check real-time conditions before heading out.

 And if you're headed to Sea-Tac, give yourself even more breathing room. There are also southbound I-405 lane reductions in Tukwila from Saturday evening through early Sunday afternoon that could affect airport trips.

 Some of this work is weather dependent and subject to change. Check back in the comments before the weekend. We’ll post an update there if anything changes.

UPDATE: EB I-90 lane reductions have been CANCELED.

The EB SR 520 lane reduction will have 2 lanes CLOSED not 3.

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Got weekend plans in Renton or Bellevue area this weekend? Well, so does I-405 and I-90!

Let’s start with the big one: northbound I-405 will CLOSE between North Southport Drive in Renton and Coal Creek Parkway SE in Bellevue from 11:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18 to 4 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21.

Crews will be working on drainage, repaving and a traffic switch as part of the I-405/Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes Project.

A signed northbound detour will be in place, but there's a bit of a catch: there are also northbound lane reductions on Coal Creek Parkway SE along the detour route for a King County sewer project. Expect significant congestion and give yourself plenty of extra time. Swipe to the second image to see the detour.

Which brings us to the “wait… there’s more??” part of this post: I-90.

Eastbound I-90 will reduce to one lane near the I-405 interchange beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18. The three left lanes will close near Richards Road while crews complete paving and repairs to the bridge over Richards Road. The eastbound I-90 HOV off-ramp to Bellevue Way SE will also close.

The lane reductions will start on Mercer Island, so expect delays well before you reach the work zone in Bellevue.

All of that is to say: give yourself extra time and don't count on nearby local streets being congestion-free. And, as always, Washington weather gets the final say. If it rains this work will likely be rescheduled.

This is a “check the travel map before you go” kind of weekend. So make sure you download our app, give yourself extra time and consider alternate routes.

UPDATE: EB I-90 lane reductions have been CANCELED.

The EB SR 520 lane reduction will have 2 lanes CLOSED not 3.

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Got weekend plans in Renton or Bellevue area this weekend? Well, so does I-405 and I-90!

Let’s start with the big one: northbound I-405 will CLOSE between North Southport Drive in Renton and Coal Creek Parkway SE in Bellevue from 11:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18 to 4 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21.

Crews will be working on drainage, repaving and a traffic switch as part of the I-405/Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes Project.

A signed northbound detour will be in place, but there's a bit of a catch: there are also northbound lane reductions on Coal Creek Parkway SE along the detour route for a King County sewer project. Expect significant congestion and give yourself plenty of extra time. Swipe to the second image to see the detour.

Which brings us to the “wait… there’s more??” part of this post: I-90.

Eastbound I-90 will reduce to one lane near the I-405 interchange beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18. The three left lanes will close near Richards Road while crews complete paving and repairs to the bridge over Richards Road. The eastbound I-90 HOV off-ramp to Bellevue Way SE will also close.

The lane reductions will start on Mercer Island, so expect delays well before you reach the work zone in Bellevue.

All of that is to say: give yourself extra time and don't count on nearby local streets being congestion-free. And, as always, Washington weather gets the final say. If it rains this work will likely be rescheduled.

This is a “check the travel map before you go” kind of weekend. So make sure you download our app, give yourself extra time and consider alternate routes.

JK. THE PAINT MAP IS BACK.

Jimothy took over painting duties this week with two goals in mind: show his BFF Greg that he’s a work of art and show the rest of us what we’re in for during a busy Puget Sound weekend.

Now, let’s get into the finer details of Jimothy’s map-sterpiece.

-The I-5 express lanes in Seattle will CLOSE from 11p Fri. to 5a Mon. for drainage work underneath the Ship Canal Bridge. The two right lanes of NB I-5 across the bridge also remain closed around-the-clock, so expect NB travel to and through Seattle to be challenging.

-The EB SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Blvd will CLOSE from 4:30p Sat., Sept. 12 through 8a Sat., Sept. 19. Crews will use the temporary off-ramp to stage equipment as they begin removing portions of the old off-ramp that closed in June. Husky fans: the ramp won’t close until after the main arrival period for Saturday’s game.

-One lane of the NB SR 99 1st Avenue S Bridge will CLOSE Saturday and Sunday. The right lane will close from 5a to 6p Sat., followed by the left/HOV lane from 5a to 6p Sun. for bridge maintenance.

-NE 85th Street in Kirkland and all I-405 ramps at the interchange will CLOSE from 10p Fri. to 5a Mon. NE 85th Street will be closed between 6th Street and 120th Avenue NE for electrical work and paving prep. This work is weather-dependent and may be rescheduled.

-WB I-90 will CLOSE overnight from Mercer Island to Seattle between Island Crest Way and the west portal of the Mount Baker Tunnel from 10p Fri. to 6a Sat. for maintenance. The WB on-ramps from 76th Ave SE/N Mercer Way, Island Crest Way and W Mercer Way will also close.

Jimothy may have packed the canvas, but don’t let the masterpiece overwhelm you. The actual impacts are spread throughout the weekend. Plan ahead, check real-time conditions before you go and give yourself extra time.

And if you don’t feel like a work of art today, find someone who looks at you the way Jimothy looks at Greg. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all.

JK. THE PAINT MAP IS BACK.

Jimothy took over painting duties this week with two goals in mind: show his BFF Greg that he’s a work of art and show the rest of us what we’re in for during a busy Puget Sound weekend.

Now, let’s get into the finer details of Jimothy’s map-sterpiece.

-The I-5 express lanes in Seattle will CLOSE from 11p Fri. to 5a Mon. for drainage work underneath the Ship Canal Bridge. The two right lanes of NB I-5 across the bridge also remain closed around-the-clock, so expect NB travel to and through Seattle to be challenging.

-The EB SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Blvd will CLOSE from 4:30p Sat., Sept. 12 through 8a Sat., Sept. 19. Crews will use the temporary off-ramp to stage equipment as they begin removing portions of the old off-ramp that closed in June. Husky fans: the ramp won’t close until after the main arrival period for Saturday’s game.

-One lane of the NB SR 99 1st Avenue S Bridge will CLOSE Saturday and Sunday. The right lane will close from 5a to 6p Sat., followed by the left/HOV lane from 5a to 6p Sun. for bridge maintenance.

-NE 85th Street in Kirkland and all I-405 ramps at the interchange will CLOSE from 10p Fri. to 5a Mon. NE 85th Street will be closed between 6th Street and 120th Avenue NE for electrical work and paving prep. This work is weather-dependent and may be rescheduled.

-WB I-90 will CLOSE overnight from Mercer Island to Seattle between Island Crest Way and the west portal of the Mount Baker Tunnel from 10p Fri. to 6a Sat. for maintenance. The WB on-ramps from 76th Ave SE/N Mercer Way, Island Crest Way and W Mercer Way will also close.

Jimothy may have packed the canvas, but don’t let the masterpiece overwhelm you. The actual impacts are spread throughout the weekend. Plan ahead, check real-time conditions before you go and give yourself extra time.

And if you don’t feel like a work of art today, find someone who looks at you the way Jimothy looks at Greg. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all.

JK. THE PAINT MAP IS BACK.

Jimothy took over painting duties this week with two goals in mind: show his BFF Greg that he’s a work of art and show the rest of us what we’re in for during a busy Puget Sound weekend.

Now, let’s get into the finer details of Jimothy’s map-sterpiece.

-The I-5 express lanes in Seattle will CLOSE from 11p Fri. to 5a Mon. for drainage work underneath the Ship Canal Bridge. The two right lanes of NB I-5 across the bridge also remain closed around-the-clock, so expect NB travel to and through Seattle to be challenging.

-The EB SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Blvd will CLOSE from 4:30p Sat., Sept. 12 through 8a Sat., Sept. 19. Crews will use the temporary off-ramp to stage equipment as they begin removing portions of the old off-ramp that closed in June. Husky fans: the ramp won’t close until after the main arrival period for Saturday’s game.

-One lane of the NB SR 99 1st Avenue S Bridge will CLOSE Saturday and Sunday. The right lane will close from 5a to 6p Sat., followed by the left/HOV lane from 5a to 6p Sun. for bridge maintenance.

-NE 85th Street in Kirkland and all I-405 ramps at the interchange will CLOSE from 10p Fri. to 5a Mon. NE 85th Street will be closed between 6th Street and 120th Avenue NE for electrical work and paving prep. This work is weather-dependent and may be rescheduled.

-WB I-90 will CLOSE overnight from Mercer Island to Seattle between Island Crest Way and the west portal of the Mount Baker Tunnel from 10p Fri. to 6a Sat. for maintenance. The WB on-ramps from 76th Ave SE/N Mercer Way, Island Crest Way and W Mercer Way will also close.

Jimothy may have packed the canvas, but don’t let the masterpiece overwhelm you. The actual impacts are spread throughout the weekend. Plan ahead, check real-time conditions before you go and give yourself extra time.

And if you don’t feel like a work of art today, find someone who looks at you the way Jimothy looks at Greg. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all.

We have a bit of a first coming up next week. We’re doing something we’ve never done before, and unfortunately for Montlake travelers, it involves a ramp closure. Everyone sufficiently nervous yet?

For the first time ever, the eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard will close around-the-clock for a full week. From 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, through 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, there will be no getting to Montlake Boulevard from eastbound SR 520.

Now, you may have noticed those are two Saturdays. Two Saturdays that also happen to have UW home football games. Husky fans, we didn’t forget about you. The ramp will remain open for traffic heading to both games on Sept. 12 and Sept. 19. It closes at 4:30 p.m. after traffic has arrived for the Sept. 12 game and reopens at 8 a.m. the following Saturday ahead of the Sept. 19 game.

For the six days, 15 hours and 30 minutes in between? Things are going to look a little different.

Here’s the REALLY important part:

If you’re coming from I-5 and enter eastbound SR 520, you are crossing Lake Washington. There will be no exit to Montlake before the bridge.

No “oops, this is my exit.” No last-minute escape. You and your vehicle are going to the Eastside.

And because SR 520 is a tolled bridge, you’ll pay the toll when you cross**.** If your destination was actually Montlake, you’ll then need to turn around, take westbound SR 520 back across the lake and exit at Montlake. That means crossing the bridge twice and, yes, paying the toll twice.

An accidental tour of Lake Washington? Lovely. An accidental tour of Lake Washington when all you wanted was to get to Montlake? Maybe less so.

So, why a whole week?

Crews are getting ready to remove portions of the old eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard, which closed back in June. During the closure, they’ll use the new temporary off-ramp to stage equipment needed to begin removing portions of the old ramp.

The old ramp needs to go to make room for another traffic shift coming in early 2027 as part of the SR 520 Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke Lid Project.

How do I get to Montlake instead?

If you’re traveling northbound on I-5:

• Take the Lakeview Boulevard exit, just before the eastbound SR 520 exit, and head east.
• Continue north past SR 520, take the Northeast 45th Street exit and head east.

If you’re traveling southbound on I-5:

• Exit at Northeast 45th Street or Northeast 50th Street and head east.
• Take the Boylston Avenue East exit and head east.

The big takeaway: If Montlake is your destination, do not enter eastbound SR 520 from I-5 during this closure.

Otherwise, Lake Washington becomes part of your itinerary whether you planned for it or not.

Know your alternate route before you go, give yourself some extra time and please spare yourself the “wait... why am I crossing the bridge?” moment.

Labor Day weekend always marks our last Paint Map of the summer. And to say goodbye, our resident doodler decided to show you her real fine arts skills. Presenting a Handsome Squidward edition of the map.

Labor Day weekend also means the Summer Scaries have officially set in. Symptoms may include a sudden urge to squeeze three months of summer plans into one three-day weekend. If symptoms persist, consult your travel map. before making any weekend plans. Luckily, we have have one handy, so here’s what you need to know:

The handsome news: Most of our highway construction work will pause this weekend, which means all lanes of the I-90 Vantage Bridge are OPEN for the weekend. Lane reductions will go back into effect Tuesday morning.

The Squidward news: You should still expect delays on I-5, I-90, US 2, at the Canadian border and on Washington State Ferries as people chase the final days of summer. Between sports games, two state fairs, festivals, concerts and everyone trying to squeeze in one last summer adventure, the roads will be BUSY.

We can’t cure the Summer Scaries, but we can at least try to keep holiday traffic from aggravating this unfortunate illness. Our travel charts estimate the best times to travel on key highways throughout the weekend. Visit this link, consult the charts, and make a plan to avoid peak travel times: wsdot.wa.gov/travel/holiday-weekend-travel/labor-day-weekend-travel-times

As always, check real-time conditions before you head out, give yourself extra time and have a plan.

And with that, our Paint Map artist hangs up her paintbrush. For now. She’ll rest. She’ll wait. And when Washington’s roads inevitably descend into chaos once more, she’ll be ready.

Side note: Fine art is best viewed up close. Swipe for a closeup of Dave.

Labor Day weekend always marks our last Paint Map of the summer. And to say goodbye, our resident doodler decided to show you her real fine arts skills. Presenting a Handsome Squidward edition of the map.

Labor Day weekend also means the Summer Scaries have officially set in. Symptoms may include a sudden urge to squeeze three months of summer plans into one three-day weekend. If symptoms persist, consult your travel map. before making any weekend plans. Luckily, we have have one handy, so here’s what you need to know:

The handsome news: Most of our highway construction work will pause this weekend, which means all lanes of the I-90 Vantage Bridge are OPEN for the weekend. Lane reductions will go back into effect Tuesday morning.

The Squidward news: You should still expect delays on I-5, I-90, US 2, at the Canadian border and on Washington State Ferries as people chase the final days of summer. Between sports games, two state fairs, festivals, concerts and everyone trying to squeeze in one last summer adventure, the roads will be BUSY.

We can’t cure the Summer Scaries, but we can at least try to keep holiday traffic from aggravating this unfortunate illness. Our travel charts estimate the best times to travel on key highways throughout the weekend. Visit this link, consult the charts, and make a plan to avoid peak travel times: wsdot.wa.gov/travel/holiday-weekend-travel/labor-day-weekend-travel-times

As always, check real-time conditions before you head out, give yourself extra time and have a plan.

And with that, our Paint Map artist hangs up her paintbrush. For now. She’ll rest. She’ll wait. And when Washington’s roads inevitably descend into chaos once more, she’ll be ready.

Side note: Fine art is best viewed up close. Swipe through for a closer look at the details.

Labor Day weekend always marks our last Paint Map of the summer. And to say goodbye, our resident doodler decided to show you her real fine arts skills. Presenting a Handsome Squidward edition of the map.

Labor Day weekend also means the Summer Scaries have officially set in. Symptoms may include a sudden urge to squeeze three months of summer plans into one three-day weekend. If symptoms persist, consult your travel map. before making any weekend plans. Luckily, we have have one handy, so here’s what you need to know:

The handsome news: Most of our highway construction work will pause this weekend, which means all lanes of the I-90 Vantage Bridge are OPEN for the weekend. Lane reductions will go back into effect Tuesday morning.

The Squidward news: You should still expect delays on I-5, I-90, US 2, at the Canadian border and on Washington State Ferries as people chase the final days of summer. Between sports games, two state fairs, festivals, concerts and everyone trying to squeeze in one last summer adventure, the roads will be BUSY.

We can’t cure the Summer Scaries, but we can at least try to keep holiday traffic from aggravating this unfortunate illness. Our travel charts estimate the best times to travel on key highways throughout the weekend. Visit this link, consult the charts, and make a plan to avoid peak travel times: wsdot.wa.gov/travel/holiday-weekend-travel/labor-day-weekend-travel-times

As always, check real-time conditions before you head out, give yourself extra time and have a plan.

And with that, our Paint Map artist hangs up her paintbrush. For now. She’ll rest. She’ll wait. And when Washington’s roads inevitably descend into chaos once more, she’ll be ready.

Side note: Fine art is best viewed up close. Swipe through for a closer look at the details.

And IIIIIIIII will always love painting you an artistically questionable drawing of what’s happening across the state. Before you ask, yes, there’s a lot of big hair on this weekend’s map and you know what they say… “the bigger the hair, the bigger the highway impacts.” So let’s comb through what you actually need to know.

-Northbound I-405 will CLOSE in Kirkland between NE 70th Pl. and NE 85th St. from 11 p.m. Friday, August 28 to 4 a.m. Monday, August 31. Crews will use this closure to dig out a section of the freeway to install a concrete culvert to reconnect the fish passage beneath northbound and southbound I-405. Expect backups in the area and heavier traffic on nearby highways and local streets. Give yourself extra time and follow signed detours.

-Seattle is looking pretty in pink this weekend, but all that pink also means it’s going to be pretty packed. There are multiple events happening around the city, including sports games, concerts and a sold-out Skrillex show. Add ongoing Revive I-5 work into the mix, and getting around Seattle could take longer than usual. Northbound I-5 remains reduced to two lanes across the Ship Canal Bridge, with the express lanes running northbound 24/7. Expect extra traffic in and around Seattle, leave early and take transit if you can.

-Heading north or toward Deception Pass this weekend? The Deception Pass Classic is Sat. and Sun., so expect cyclists on roads around Skagit and Whidbey counties. SR 20 near Campbell Lake Road also remains reduced to one lane of alternating traffic through Sept. 4 while crews prepare for a new roundabout. The work is on a key route between Anacortes and Whidbey Island, so keep that in mind if you’re headed to the ferry or across Deception Pass. Farther north, the Bellingham Traverse is happening Saturday, with participants on the shoulder of SR 11 and near I-5. Keep an eye out for cyclists and other participants along the way.

If there’s one thing we’re begging of you this weekend, it’s this: please check the real-time travel map before you go. Give yourself extra time, make a plan, be kind to each other out there on the roads and leave a little metaphorical sparkle along the way.

If you use Montlake Boulevard or the SR 520 ramps in the Montlake area, plan for a weekend closure starting Friday night, Aug. 21.

From 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, to 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, Montlake Boulevard will close between East Hamlin Street and East Louisa Street, along with several nearby streets and SR 520 ramps.

So, what exactly is closing?

• Montlake Boulevard on-ramps to eastbound and westbound SR 520
• Eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard
• A 300-foot section of East Roanoke Street west of Montlake Boulevard
• Lake Washington Boulevard between Montlake Boulevard and 24th Avenue East

The westbound SR 520 off-ramp to northbound Montlake Boulevard will remain open.

People walking, biking and rolling will still be able to cross SR 520 on Montlake Boulevard, with a limited detour south of SR 520.

What will crews be up to?

During the weekend closure, crews will install three new mast-arm sign structures and mount new signs on them. They'll also remove the large sign bridge spanning Montlake Boulevard just south of SR 520 and install a new southbound sign north of SR 520 on an existing utility pole.

If you're traveling through Montlake this weekend, give yourself extra time, check the real-time travel map and consider alternate routes.

If you use Montlake Boulevard or the SR 520 ramps in the Montlake area, plan for a weekend closure starting Friday night, Aug. 21.

From 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, to 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, Montlake Boulevard will close between East Hamlin Street and East Louisa Street, along with several nearby streets and SR 520 ramps.

So, what exactly is closing?

• Montlake Boulevard on-ramps to eastbound and westbound SR 520
• Eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard
• A 300-foot section of East Roanoke Street west of Montlake Boulevard
• Lake Washington Boulevard between Montlake Boulevard and 24th Avenue East

The westbound SR 520 off-ramp to northbound Montlake Boulevard will remain open.

People walking, biking and rolling will still be able to cross SR 520 on Montlake Boulevard, with a limited detour south of SR 520.

What will crews be up to?

During the weekend closure, crews will install three new mast-arm sign structures and mount new signs on them. They'll also remove the large sign bridge spanning Montlake Boulevard just south of SR 520 and install a new southbound sign north of SR 520 on an existing utility pole.

If you're traveling through Montlake this weekend, give yourself extra time, check the real-time travel map and consider alternate routes.

If you travel SR 20 south of Anacortes, especially if you’re headed to or from Whidbey Island, you’ll want to plan ahead and give yourself extra time over the next 19 days.

Starting at 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17, SR 20 will be reduced to one lane near Campbell Lake Road. An automated traffic signal will alternate traffic through the intersection around the clock until 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4.

During the 19-day lane reduction, crews will grade the intersection in preparation for a new roundabout planned for 2027. So, what does “grade” actually mean? In this case, crews will bring in material to build up lower areas and reshape the intersection for the future roundabout. Similar to my stomach after a large meal… all that new material needs some time to settle. In this case, the settling and stabilization process takes about six months over the winter.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• One lane of SR 20 with traffic alternating in both directions, 24/7
• Delays, especially during busier travel times
• A reduced 40 mph speed limit near the intersection
• Travelers to or from Whidbey Island can also consider the Mukilteo/Clinton ferry
• If you’re headed to the Anacortes or Coupeville ferry terminals, give yourself extra time to get there

After the 19-day lane reduction ends, SR 20 will return to its previous configuration, including the eastbound SR 20 left-turn lane to Campbell Lake Road and the acceleration lane.

We know this will add time to some trips over the next 19 days, but it’s an important step toward a future roundabout designed to improve safety at the intersection. In the meantime, plan ahead, give yourself some wiggle room and check real-time conditions before you head out.

If you travel SR 20 south of Anacortes, especially if you’re headed to or from Whidbey Island, you’ll want to plan ahead and give yourself extra time over the next 19 days.

Starting at 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 17, SR 20 will be reduced to one lane near Campbell Lake Road. An automated traffic signal will alternate traffic through the intersection around the clock until 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4.

During the 19-day lane reduction, crews will grade the intersection in preparation for a new roundabout planned for 2027. So, what does “grade” actually mean? In this case, crews will bring in material to build up lower areas and reshape the intersection for the future roundabout. Similar to my stomach after a large meal… all that new material needs some time to settle. In this case, the settling and stabilization process takes about six months over the winter.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• One lane of SR 20 with traffic alternating in both directions, 24/7
• Delays, especially during busier travel times
• A reduced 40 mph speed limit near the intersection
• Travelers to or from Whidbey Island can also consider the Mukilteo/Clinton ferry
• If you’re headed to the Anacortes or Coupeville ferry terminals, give yourself extra time to get there

After the 19-day lane reduction ends, SR 20 will return to its previous configuration, including the eastbound SR 20 left-turn lane to Campbell Lake Road and the acceleration lane.

We know this will add time to some trips over the next 19 days, but it’s an important step toward a future roundabout designed to improve safety at the intersection. In the meantime, plan ahead, give yourself some wiggle room and check real-time conditions before you head out.