Brace Yourself: Seattle’s I-5 Turns Traffic Nightmares into a Two-Year Reality Show!

If you think surviving the “Month of Hell” on I-5 was tough, just wait! Seattle commuters are being warned that the real chaos is just getting started, with major lane closures about to become the new normal. The Washington Department of Transportation has announced two separate four-month construction blitzes on the northbound Ship Canal Bridge coming up in 2026. And as if that wasn’t enough, we can also look forward to a whopping nine months of closures in 2027. The haters will say, “You gotta be kidding me!” But it’s true.

During the recent work, which many are dubbing a “practice run,” over 100 drains were replaced, and drivers experienced an average of 30 extra minutes in morning traffic. Of course, it might not feel like they learned all that much if you’re stuck in a jam for half an hour longer than usual. But hey, the traffic experts swear they’re analyzing the data for better outcomes—fingers crossed! The bright side? That means more chances for commuters to test their patience (and their playlists) while waiting for the next big traffic fiasco.

So, what are the best strategies to cope with all this? Should we all just start carpool karaoke sessions to lighten the mood? If you’re a Seattle driver, you might want to think about alternative routes or, better yet, invest in some good snacks to keep that morale up during the waits! What are your go-to coping mechanisms for traffic? Let’s hear them!

About the Author

View All Posts