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In this update:
This year’s “Beat the Bridge” event will take place from 7:30 to 10 a.m. tomorrow, May 10.
To accommodate the event, the Montlake Bridge will be closed to all vehicle traffic during this time. Additionally, the westbound off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard and the left turn lanes at the eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard will be closed.
Drivers using the eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard will only be able to travel southbound or continue east onto Lake Washington Boulevard.
Local access will be maintained as pedestrian traffic clears. People should use alternate routes and expect delays in the area. Please note this closure is not associated with the SR 520 Program.
Heads up, drivers! Starting Monday, May 12, the northbound HOV3+/Transit I-5 express lanes entrance at Mercer Street will officially open as part of the SR 520/I-5 Express Lanes Connection Project.
This new entry point shares the ramp previously used for southbound traffic and will follow the I-5 express lanes schedule. Other highlights:
- Only vehicles with three or more passengers and transit can use the entrance because it will ultimately connect to a portion of SR 520 that is a designated HOV3+/Transit highway.
- Changes to the ramp metering setup at Mercer Street are based on express lanes direction:
- When express lanes are southbound, all travelers will use the two-lane meters just east of Fairview Street.
- When express lanes are northbound, northbound I-5 mainline drivers will use the single-lane meter at the top of the ramp.
Watch this overview video and get familiar before hitting the road.
Starting this Monday, May 12, Skanska will close the Bill Dawson Trail from the east end of the new pedestrian tunnel under Montlake Boulevard to the Montlake Playfield. The trail will reopen in 2030 with several bicycle and pedestrian improvements to the trail and surrounding area.
We need this long-term trail closure so crews can safely access the work site to construct new retaining walls and the new Portage Bay bridges. You can learn more about why we need these trail closures and what to expect in our Bill Dawson Trail Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
The map below shows the two signed detour routes that we’ll post in the Montlake neighborhood – one for people walking/rolling and the other for people biking.
 Note: In the State of Washington, bicyclists are allowed to ride on the sidewalk. Using the sidewalk is a great way for riders to separate themselves from vehicle traffic if they’re not comfortable riding on the road.
We understand this long-term closure is inconvenient, especially for frequent trail users like University of Washington students and staff, nearby residents and commuters. Thank you in advance for your patience while we complete these important safety and mobility improvements.
If you have questions or concerns, call our Portage Bay Project 24-hour hotline at 206-319-4520 or email us at sr520bridge@wsdot.wa.gov.
The first season of in-water impact piledriving is complete (note: in-water vibratory piledriving and impact piledriving on land is allowed to continue year-round). Thank you for your patience these last six months. Since November last year, crews installed over 300 piles and built most of the temporary work trestle.
 Looking ahead:
- This summer, vibratory piledriving continues in Portage Bay; impact piledriving begins on land near Montlake.
- A temporary eastbound off-ramp will open in September, requiring weekend and nighttime closures of SR 520.
- The Boyer stairs will close soon for long-term utility work and Roanoke lid construction.
- Season 2 of in-water impact piledriving begins Sept. 1, 2025, and will continue through April 2026.
Stay tuned for updates and see below for how you can attend a monthly meeting to learn more.
Join us for our next monthly construction meeting held virtually at noon on Thursday, May 15. At the meeting, you'll hear an overview of construction progress and learn about upcoming construction activities. Register below to attend and feel free to submit questions in advance to sr520bridge@wsdot.wa.gov.
Missed the last Portage Bay Project monthly meeting? You can view the presentation online (PDF 6MB) or watch the meeting recording on YouTube.
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May 12: Bill Dawson Trail closed until 2030
Check out the SR 520 Construction Corner map for the most up-to-date information on closures and construction impacts
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Call or text our project-specific construction hotlines with pressing questions or concerns related to the:
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Montlake Project: 206-775-8885
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SR 520/I-5 Connection Project: 206-316-2559
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Portage Bay Project: 206-319-4520
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Call the SR 520 Program information line (206-200-9484, M-F 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.) with general SR 520 inquiries.
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Email SR 520 staff with your questions about the project or construction activities.
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Visit the SR 520 Construction Corner for the most up-to-date information on closures and construction impacts.
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Visit the SR 520 Program website to find general information about the project.
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Email Regina Glenn, WSDOT Megaprograms Diversity and Inclusion Manager, for more information about contracting opportunities.
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Follow us on Twitter @wsdot_520 to get key news and updates about the SR 520 program.
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View current Montlake Project construction photos, taken continuously day and night, by mounted construction cameras
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Share the ROTW listserv with your friends and neighbors
If you have difficulty understanding English, you may request language assistance services free of charge by calling (360) 705-7090 or emailing TitleVI@WSDOT.WA.GOV.
Español - Spanish servicios de traducción Aviso a personas con dominio limitado del idioma inglés: Si usted tiene alguna dificultad en entender el idioma inglés, puede, sin costo alguno, solicitar asistencia lingüística con respecto a esta información llamando al (360) 705-7090, o envíe un mensaje de correo electrónico a: TitleVI@WSDOT.WA.GOV.
中文 - Chinese 翻译服务 如果您难以理解英文，则请致电：(360) 705-7090，或给我们发送电子邮件： TitleVI@WSDOT.WA.GOV，请求获取免费语言援助服务。
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ِيَّة Arabic - اَلْعَ َرب خدمات الترجمة إذا كنت تجد صعوبة في فھم اللغة الإنجلیزیة، فیمكنك مجان ا طلب خدمات المساعدة اللغویة عن طریق الاتصال بالرقم .TitleVI@WSDOT.WA.GOV: الإلكتروني البرید عبر مراسلتنا أو)، 360) 705-7090
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