The first week of #SouthKingSlowdown is in the books. On southbound I-5 we saw backups of 2 to 4 miles in the SeaTac/Southcenter area, which took up to about 30 minutes to get through during the first weekend of work.

Southbound I-5 again will be reduced to two lanes for the weekend just south of the I-405/SR518 interchange, starting at 5 p.m. Friday, July 22. Two right lanes will remain open as we repave the three left lanes between South 188th Street and SR 516. These ramps will be closed:

SB I-405 to SB I-5
188th St on-ramp
200th St. on- and -off-ramps
If you’re heading south of Seattle this weekend, plan ahead! Allow extra travel time. Check the Seattle Traffic page a couple of hours before you plan to travel and download WSDOT’s mobile app to get the latest conditions. Also, consider:

Using alternate routes like state routes 99 and167.
Take transit. Link light rail provides a predictable trip to Sea-Tac International Airport.
Travel early or travel late.
Consider putting off your trip.

Overnight lane and ramp closures on I-5 in Seattle starting tonight, July 21

Drivers should prepare for a few nights of lane and ramp closures on I-5 under the Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle for routine maintenance and testing of the fire suppression system. At 11 tonight, July 21, up to two left lanes of northbound I-5 will be closed through 5 a.m. Friday, July 22, along with the University Street on-ramp to northbound I-5. Up to three right lanes will be closed overnight Friday, July 22-23, along with the Cherry Street on-ramp to northbound I-5. Signed detours will be in place for all closures. There will be similar closures in the southbound direction next Friday night, July 29.

I-90 express lanes to close for Seafair Triathlon Sunday, July 24

Triathletes will replace drivers on the Interstate 90 express lanes Sunday morning, July 24. For the safety of Seafair Triathlon participants, the I-90 express lanes will close at 5 a.m. The lanes will open westbound by 11 a.m. and remain westbound into the normal Monday schedule.

Southbound I-5 ramp to eastbound I-90 closed overnight next week, July 24-28

Overnight drivers using both I-5 and I-90 in Seattle should plan ahead for a slightly longer trip next week as contractor crews working on the I-90 Two-Way Transit and HOV Operations continue work to preserve and strengthen existing concrete panels on both directions of I-90 between I-5 and Lake Washington. The southbound I-5 ramp to eastbound I-90 will be closed from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly from Sunday, July 24, to the morning of Friday, July 29. A signed detour will be in place.

#405ETL: A lot can happen in nine months

It’s been nine months since the I-405 express toll lanes opened. We’re taking a look at trends this week. One interesting finding is that the express toll lanes are moving more vehicles weekdays between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. than they were when the lanes were tolled 24/7. Learn about this and more on our blog.

Making Good To Go! work better for customers A year ago, Good To Go! introduced a new customer service policy offering first-time forgiveness of late fees and civil penalties on unpaid toll bills. Everyone can now call Good To Go! to request a one-time waiver of all unpaid late fees and penalties as long as they agree to pay the original tolls. In the past year, over 75,000 vehicle owners have had their civil penalties and fees waived and we’ve dismissed over $25 million in civil penalties and late fees. Of course, for most customers this never comes up – only about 2 percent of trips result in a civil penalty. Learn more about all the ways to lower your toll bill.