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On The Move

Advisories from the Seattle Department of Transportation

N 85th St: I-5 ramp closures and eastbound detours between Aurora and I-5 begin Aug 3

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Beginning on Friday, August 3 the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will begin construction activities on N 85th Street between Aurora Avenue N and I-5 as part of the N/NW 85th Street Paving Project. To keep the project on schedule, and to take advantage of drier weather, major construction activities will occur in Phase 4 (Aurora Avenue N to Wallingford Avenue N) and Phase 5 (Wallingford Avenue N to I-5) simultaneously.

Eastbound detours continue on N 80th Street

During Phase 4 and 5 work, all eastbound lanes on N 85th Street will be closed and vehicles will continue to be detoured to N 80th Street via Greenwood Avenue N through the end of October. Eastbound travel on N 85th Street between Greenwood Avenue N and Aurora Avenue N will be permitted for local access and access to northbound SR-99 only.

I-5 on-ramps and off-ramps at N 85th Street closed intermittently through August

To provide space for the contractor to safely complete major road work, access to the on- and off-ramps at N 85th Street will be intermittently closed in August. Drivers should follow signed detour routes. The dates below are subject to change:

North and southbound I-5 on-ramps at N 85th Street:

  • Closed 8/3 – 8/31
  • Access to I-5 provided via eastbound N 80th Street or via northbound Greenwood Avenue N to N 105th Street.

Southbound I-5 off-ramp at N 85th Street:

  • Closed 8/10 – 8/27
  • Access from southbound I-5 provided via the NE 80th Street exit.

Northbound I-5 off-ramp and Banner Way NE overpass to N 85th Street:

  • Closed over multiple weekends in August; dates to be determined.
  • N 85th Street from I-5 to Wallingford Avenue N will be closed, except for local access, on these weekends.
  • Use alternate I-5 exits, such as N 105th Street, during these closures.

During work in Phases 4 and 5, SDOT reminds drivers to plan ahead, expect delays, use alternate routes to I-5 and SR-99, and ride the bus, bike or walk when possible.

Metro bus routes will be affected by this work. Look for Rider Alert notices at the bus stops, see reroute information later this week on Metro Online www.kingcounty.gov/metro or call (206) 553-3000.

This project is funded by the 2006 Bridging the Gap levy passed by voters, and makes much-needed repairs to the two-mile stretch of N/NW 85th Street between 15th Avenue NW and I-5, and Greenwood Avenue N. The entire project is anticipated to be complete in the fall.

To sign up for regular construction email updates, email pave_85th@seattle.gov.

For more information, contact the 24-hour project line at 206-496-9993, visit http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/pave_85th.htm or email pave_85th@seattle.gov.

Media contact: Marybeth Turner, (206) 684-8548