 April 25, 2025
 Our construction season is here in the Northend, officially. We’ll begin to see heavier work begin throughout the region from maintenance work to construction.
A three-year project to remove 17 barriers to fish migration along a 6-mile stretch of Interstate 5 in Skagit and Whatcom Counties will begin construction Wednesday, April 30. Contractor crews working on behalf of the Washington State Department of Transportation will begin overnight work on I-5 south of Bellingham at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 30.
Construction is expected to last until 2027, as crews will remove 17 barriers and replace them with 10 new structures that will allow fish to swim freely beneath I-5 and adjacent Whatcom and Skagit county roads near Lake Samish. This work will improve stream connectivity along Lake Creek, Chuckanut Creek and unnamed tributaries to Friday Creek and Lake Creek.
What to expect
From April through October 2025, construction will occur at Lake Creek near the north end of Lake Samish. During this time, travelers should expect to see:
- Nighttime single-lane closures on I-5 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., starting Wednesday, April 30, through early June.
- Temporary two-lane bypass roads used for northbound and southbound I-5 traffic during the summer.
- Occasional nighttime rolling slowdowns, where traffic is briefly held or slowed to create a safe work zone ahead.
Later in 2025, construction may occur at the unnamed tributaries to Friday Creek near Alger. More information will be shared once the schedule is finalized.
Temporary bypass roads
In 2025, bypass roads will be built to divert northbound and southbound I-5 traffic around the Lake Creek work zone (milepost 245). An advisory speed reduction will be set once traffic is shifted to the bypass roads.
 Here's the latest scoop from the Secret Creek Fish Passage project, where we're making waves (literally) to improve fish passage and wildlife habitat.
We enjoyed a sunny streak last week, perfect for getting things done. Crews continued excavation, subgrade preparation, and embankment work for the new, temporary two lane 5 bypass along both directions of I-5.
Here's what's on the agenda for next week:
- Northbound I-5: We'll be importing borrow material for embankment, excavating the south culvert, finishing the geosynthetic wall embankment, and installing temporary drainage.
- Southbound I-5: We'll be paving and striping the new, temporary southbound bypass roadway in preparation to shift southbound I-5 traffic to the new temporary alignment overnight beginning around midnight, Friday, May 2.
Travelers should expect delays when traveling through this area and should factor in extra travel time.
Spring is HERE, besties, because SR 20 North Cascades Highway has reopened for the 2025 season.
For those planning to travel the scenic highway, remember to always travel for conditions, turn on your headlights and stay alert for other people traveling. Most United States Forest Service and National Park Service facilities remain closed along this route at this time.
Expect to see our maintenance crews taking advantage of the limited seasonal work window. Slow down, remove distractions and give them room to work. We're so grateful for all of their hard work--they because clearing the highway in early March.
Travel safely and enjoy the views! Check out the highway reopening here: instagram.com/reel/DIwvPlnTB8z/
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As we close out National Work Zone Awareness Week, we want to bring awareness to the dangers our crews face on the road every day.
In 2024, Washington state had 1,607 work zone-related collisions, a 17% increase from 2023. The top three causes of these collisions were following too closely, excessive speed and distracted driving. As you’ve heard us say before, these work zone collisions are preventable. Earlier this week, we hosted a Worker Memorial and a media event to honor the 61 fallen workers since 1950 and bring awareness to work zone safety. Although we highlight on this issue every April, worker safety is always our top priority.
The workers on the road aren’t just nameless, faceless people. They are members of your communities, fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, siblings, Little League coaches and friends. Each deserves to go home at the end of each day. It’s all OUR responsibility to get EVERYONE home safely.
When going through work zones, move over, slow down, pay attention, stay calm and be kind. Please remember, everyone on the road has a story and families they want to return home to. Everyone plays a part in work zone safety.
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We often have special events and roadwork taking place in the Northend, including construction projects, maintenance and repairs. We always try to minimize any effects to travel, but sometimes it is necessary to close a lane to do the work or create a safe work zone for our crews.
While we aren't doing a lot of roadwork this week, our crews will still be out monitoring and keeping the roads safe. If you spot them, slow down and give them space to work! A huge thanks to our crews for all their hard work through the holidays.
Want more information? Visit our real time travel center, where these projects and repairs can be found on our travel map, and download our app to receive alerts directly to your smartphone.
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Saturday, April 26
Sunday, April 27
- From 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. the Whidbey Island Marathon will alternate traffic on the State Route 20 Deception Pass Bridge. Crews will then fully close the road from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.
Monday, April 28
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From 1 a.m. to noon, Monday, April 28, maintenance crews will close the left lane of southbound Interstate 5 in Bellingham between Bakerview (milepost 258) and State Route 542/Sunset Drive (milepost 255) for shoulder pulling.
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From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. PSE crews will alternate traffic on State Route 20 in Coupeville between Wanamaker Road (milepost 15) and Race Road/SR 525 (milepost 16) for roadwork.
Monday, April 28 to Friday, May 2
Monday, April 28 to Friday morning, May 9
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Nightly, Sunday night through Friday morning, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., , utility crews will alternate traffic on State Route 9 in Acme between south of Wickersham Street (milepost 67) and Turkington Road (milepost 72) for roadwork.
Tuesday, April 29
Wednesday, April 30
Wednesday, April 30 to Friday morning, May 2
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Nightly, from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. construction crews will close the left lane of southbound Interstate 5 south of Bellingham at North Lake Samish (milepost 246) for bypass construction in support of the I-5 Friday, Lake, and Chuckanut Creeks fish passage project.
Thursday, May 1
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