The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is launching a critical $1.3 million emergency repair project on the northbound SR 99 First Avenue South Bridge, a move that will significantly impact travel for thousands of commuters heading toward SODO and downtown Seattle. Starting tonight, Tuesday, May 5, contractor crews will begin Phase 2 of a project to replace nine failing steel grate panels that were identified as cracked during a February inspection.

Timeline of Closures

The work will occur in stages, gradually increasing in impact over the coming weeks:

• Nightly Lane Reductions: From Tuesday, May 5, through Friday morning, May 8, the bridge will be reduced to just one lane between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m..
• Full Weekend Closure: A major disruption is scheduled from 10 p.m. Friday, May 8, until 5 a.m. Monday, May 11, when all northbound lanes will be closed to traffic.
• Continued Nightly Closures: Full northbound closures will continue nightly (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.) from May 11–15 and again from May 18–22.

Impacts on West Seattle and Burien Drivers

Drivers traveling from Burien and West Seattle who rely on this corridor to reach the SODO district or downtown Seattle will face significant hurdles. WSDOT has confirmed that several key access points will be blocked during these repair windows:

• On-Ramp Closures: The on-ramps from West Marginal Way South and Occidental Avenue South to northbound SR 99 will be closed. Additionally, the ramp from First Avenue South to northbound SR 509 will be inaccessible.
• Detour Route: During full closures, northbound traffic will be diverted to exit at South Cloverdale Street. Drivers must then cross the Duwamish River via the 14th Avenue South bridge and travel north on East Marginal Way South to reconnect with SR 99 north of the work zone.

The Race to the World Cup

The urgency of these repairs is driven by the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins in June. With hundreds of thousands of spectators expected to flood the Puget Sound region, WSDOT aims to have all northbound lanes reopened at normal speeds—eliminating the current temporary 25-mph limit—before the tournament begins.

While these repairs are a temporary fix to keep the bridge operational, WSDOT is currently designing a full replacement of the northbound bridge deck, with construction slated to begin in 2027. For now, travelers are encouraged to sign up for email updates and use traffic apps to navigate the upcoming disruptions