Brace yourself, Bothell and Woodinville drivers—your weekend commutes are about to get a whole lot more frustrating. The I-405 widening project is entering a chaotic new phase, and it’s bringing a series of weekend closures through mid-March that will snarl traffic on I-405 and SR-522. But here’s where it gets even more complicated: these closures aren’t just minor inconveniences—they’re part of a larger effort to dismantle the flyover ramps that once connected northbound I-405 to SR-522, a move that’s essential for widening the interstate. And this is the part most people miss: while the long-term goal is smoother traffic flow, the short-term reality is detours, delays, and headaches for everyone on the road.
This weekend marks the beginning of the chaos, with all westbound lanes of SR-522 closing at the I-405 interchange in Bothell. This is just the first in a series of carefully planned closures as Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) crews work to clear the way for the I-405/Brickyard to SR-527 Improvement Project. Here’s the breakdown of what’s coming:
Closure Schedule:
- Feb. 20-21: All westbound SR-522 lanes at the I-405 Interchange will close from 9 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday. Crews will begin lane closures as early as 8 p.m. to remove the first section of the ramp over SR-522.
- Feb. 27-March 2: Both eastbound and westbound SR-522 lanes at the I-405 Interchange will close from 10 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Monday. Lane closures start at 9 p.m. as crews remove the remaining ramp portion.
- March 6-9 (Tentative): All northbound and southbound I-405 lanes in Bothell will close from Friday night to Monday morning to remove ramp sections over the mainline. Exact times will be announced later.
- March 13-16 (Tentative): Another full closure of northbound and southbound I-405 lanes in Bothell, from Friday night to Monday morning, to complete ramp removal. Details to follow.
“We need these weekend closures to take down the ramps safely,” explained Lauren Penning, a WSDOT spokesperson. “We understand the impact this has on drivers, so we’re exploring ways to reopen roads sooner. But dismantling these structures takes time—and precision.”
Detour routes will be posted, but here’s the controversial part: WSDOT admits these routes cannot handle the usual volume of SR-522 or I-405 traffic. With 170,000 daily trips on I-405 and 87,000 on SR-522 (east of 405) on Saturdays, and 150,000 and 72,000 respectively on Sundays, congestion is all but guaranteed. So, what’s the solution? Patience—and maybe a good podcast.
Thought-provoking question for you: Is the short-term pain of these closures worth the long-term gain of a wider, more efficient I-405? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on this traffic-stopping situation.
