Seattle drivers face weekend gridlock as I-5 express lanes close, other shutdown looms, tell me about this news in (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/seattle-drivers-face-weekend-gridlock-as-i-5-express-lanes-close-other-shutdown-looms/ar-AA2bXcbP?ocid=BingNewsVerp)

This news report highlights a major traffic advisory issued by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) regarding significant highway closures and anticipated gridlock across the Seattle metro area:What Is Happening

• Full I-5 Express Lanes Weekend Closure: All lanes of the Interstate 5 express lanes in Seattle are fully shut down from 11:00 p.m. Friday, September 11, until 5:00 a.m. Monday, September 14.
• Why It Is Happening: Construction crews working on the multi-year Revive I-5: Ship Canal Bridge Preservation project require full, uninterrupted access to the underside of the Ship Canal Bridge to install essential drainage upgrades and conduct deck repairs before the arrival of heavy fall rains.
• Why the Impact Is Severe: Normally, the express lanes have been operating 24 hours a day northbound only to provide bypass capacity while mainline northbound I-5 is reduced to just two lanes across the Ship Canal Bridge. Shutting the express lanes entirely diverts all through-traffic onto the already constricted mainline and neighboring arterial corridors.

The “Other Shutdown Looms”

• Second Express Lane Closure: WSDOT has planned another identical full weekend closure of the I-5 express lanes from 11:00 p.m. Friday, October 2, to 5:00 a.m. Monday, October 5, to finish remaining drainage work.
• Regional Construction Ripple Effects: In addition to I-5, drivers face concurrent construction restrictions and overnight ramp/lane closures on regional alternative routes, including segments of I-405 through Bellevue and Kirkland as well as SR 18.

Driver GuidanceTransportation officials advise travelers to:

• Expect heavy congestion and delays throughout the weekend on northbound I-5 and alternate north-south bypasses.
• Use public transportation options, such as Sound Transit Link light rail or commuter buses.
• Travel during off-peak morning or late evening hours, or postpone non-essential trips across the Ship Canal corridor.