You might want to plan for traffic backups in Lynnwood this weekend as two major freeway ramps are closed.
WSDOT will be closing the ramp from SR 525 to southbound I-5 at 9 p.m. Friday and the ramp from I-405 to southbound I-5 at 11 p.m. Friday. Both ramps will remain closed until 5 a.m. Monday.
It’s all part of the ongoing project to build a “braided ramp” at this interchange. The new ramps are designed to separate merging traffic from mainline I-5, eliminate lane-weaving and reduce the risk of sideswipe and rear-end collisions.
“We’re on track to open all of the new ramps to traffic at the end of the month, but before we can do that, we’ll need drivers to be patient during major closures,” said Janice Fahning, project engineer.
Northbound I-405 drivers will be detoured to southbound I-5 via the 164th Street SW interchange.
Drivers on southbound SR 525 can take southbound SR 99 to 196th Street SW or 220th Street SW to reach southbound I-5. SR 525 drivers can also reach southbound I-5 via Alderwood Mall Parkway and westbound 196th Street SW. You can view detour maps on WSDOT’s website.
You’ll see some other changes starting Monday morning. A temporary, painted island and pylons will separate mainline traffic from on-ramp traffic and traffic heading to 196th Street SW for five days while crews work to complete the new 196th Street SW off-ramp. Drivers exiting to 196th Street SW should move into the right lane prior to the I-405 interchange to avoid missing the exit.
Crews will open the new off-ramp to 196th Street SW at 5 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30. The access point for the new ramp will be one mile north of the existing exit.
Thanks for the heads-up! This is sure to be a traffic nightmare all weekend. The detour routes are sure to be heavily impacted.
Completely worth it. This thing is going to be cool when they are finished.
Completely worth it. This thing is going to be cool when they are finished.