I-405 to Close This Weekend in Renton and Bellevue

Northbound lanes will be shut down for construction on the I-405 widening project.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:20am

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A bold, geometric illustration depicting the towering scale of a highway interchange, with sweeping lines and shapes in shades of gray, blue, and steel conveying a sense of disruption and the grand impact of the I-405 closure.The impending closure of a key section of I-405 in the Seattle region will test the resilience of the area's transportation network and challenge commuters to find alternative routes.Bellevue Today

Northbound I-405 will be closed from N. Southport Drive/NE Sunset Boulevard to Coal Creek Parkway SE in Renton and Bellevue this weekend, from 11:30 p.m. Friday, April 17, to 4 a.m. Monday, April 20. Crews will be excavating drainage crossings, completing full pavement replacements, and performing a traffic switch as part of the I-405/Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes Project.

Why it matters

The closure will cause significant traffic congestion throughout the I-405 corridor and in surrounding areas as drivers seek alternate routes. It comes at a time when two northbound lanes of I-5 across the Ship Canal Bridge in Seattle are also closed, further exacerbating regional travel challenges.

The details

Travelers can expect longer backups on I-405 in both directions approaching Bellevue and heavier congestion throughout the corridor. The closure will also cause constrained travel in Seattle, where two northbound lanes of I-5 remain closed across the Ship Canal Bridge. WSDOT is advising travelers to use transit, park-and-ride options, flexible schedules, and real-time travel information to navigate the closures.

  • The interstate will be closed from 11:30 p.m. Friday, April 17, to 4 a.m. Monday, April 20.
  • The I-405/Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes Project has an expected completion date of 2027.

The players

Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT)

The state agency responsible for managing and maintaining Washington's transportation infrastructure, including the I-405 corridor.

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What’s next

The new ETLs will connect to the existing express toll lane system between Bellevue and Lynnwood, as well as the SR 167 HOT lanes via the I-405/SR 167 Interchange Direct Connector, to create a 40-mile ETL system. The project is designed to improve speeds and trip reliability and support the new I-405 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line between Lynnwood and Tukwila.

The takeaway

This weekend's closure of northbound I-405 in Renton and Bellevue is part of a larger, multi-year project to widen the interstate and add express toll lanes. While the construction will cause significant traffic disruptions in the short term, the end result is expected to improve travel speeds and reliability along the critical I-405 corridor.