Bold opening hook: Weekend closures will snarL I-405 and SR-522 in Bothell—and you’ll want to know exactly how to navigate the disruptions before you head out. But here’s where it gets controversial: some drivers and locals wonder if the timing could be adjusted to reduce peak misery. Let’s unpack what’s happening, why it matters, and how to stay ahead.
Summary in plain terms
- The I-405 widening project in Bothell and Woodinville is entering a phase that requires several weekend closures through mid-March.
- This weekend, westbound SR-522 will be closed at the I-405 interchange in Bothell as crews begin removing the flyover ramps that carried northbound I-405 traffic to SR-522.
- The aim is to open the center of the interchange to allow widening of I-405 and to resume work on the I-405/Brickyard to SR-527 Improvement Project.
Detailed closure schedule
- Feb. 20–21: All lanes of westbound SR-522 at the I-405 Interchange closed from 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, to 6 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 (lanes may begin closing as early as 8 p.m.).
- Purpose: remove the first section of the ramp over the westbound lanes of SR-522.
- Feb. 27–Mar. 2: All lanes of eastbound and westbound SR-522 at the I-405 Interchange closed from 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, to 4 a.m. Monday, March 2 (lanes may begin closing as early as 9 p.m.).
- Purpose: remove the remaining portion of the ramp over SR-522.
- As early as Mar. 6–9: All lanes of northbound and southbound I-405 in Bothell closed from Friday night, Mar. 6, to Monday morning, Mar. 9 (exact times to be released once finalized).
- Purpose: remove portions of ramps over mainline I-405.
- As early as Mar. 13–16: All lanes of northbound and southbound I-405 in Bothell closed from Friday night, Mar. 13, to Monday morning, Mar. 16 (times to be released when final schedule is set).
- Purpose: remove remaining portions of ramps over mainline I-405.
What this means for drivers
- Detours will be posted for weekend closures, but detour routes are not designed to handle the same volume as SR-5222 or I-405.
- WSDOT acknowledges the impact on daily travel and says they will look for opportunities to open roads sooner if feasible, but emphasizes a need for ample time to safely remove the structures.
Traffic context from WSDOT
- Weekend volumes help illustrate the scale of the disruption:
- Saturdays: I-405 carries about 170,000 daily trips; SR-522 east of I-405 carries about 87,000.
- Sundays: I-405 carries about 150,000 daily trips; SR-522 east of I-405 carries about 72,000.
Why the work is necessary
- The ramps and interchanges in this area require structural removal to enable the widening of I-405 and to progress the broader I-405/Brickyard to SR-527 Improvement Project.
- The sequence and timing are designed to maximize safety during ramp removal and to minimize longer-term congestion once the center of the interchange is opened for widening.
What to do if you drive these corridors
- Plan for alternate routes and allow extra time on weekends when closures are active.
- Check the latest WSDOT updates and traffic advisories for real-time detour directions and any early openings.
- If possible, adjust travel to non-peak hours or consider telework/meeting alternatives to avoid peak weekend closures.
Controversial point to consider
- Some readers may question whether a different sequencing or extended closures over non-weekend days could reduce the total number of closures or shorten overall disruption. Do you think a slower, continuous construction approach would produce less total disruption, or do you favor the intensified but shorter weekend closures to accelerate completion? Share your take in the comments.
Bottom line
- The I-405 widening project in Bothell is entering a critical phase requiring planned weekend closures to safely remove ramps and reconfigure the interchange center. While the disruption is real, the work aims to deliver long-term improvements to traffic flow and safety on a major regional route. Stay informed, plan ahead, and participate in the conversation to weigh the trade-offs of project scheduling and traffic impact.
