Brace yourself, Bothell and Woodinville residents—your weekend travel plans are about to hit a major roadblock. Four consecutive weekends of construction are set to turn your commutes into a frustrating maze, all thanks to the state’s ambitious plan to add a new lane to I-405. But here’s where it gets even more complicated: this isn’t just about a few detours—it’s about tearing down old infrastructure to make way for the future. And this is the part most people miss: the full closures in March will essentially bring Bothell to a standstill.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) kicked things off late last year by closing the old ramps between I-405 and State Route 522 (SR 522) in Bothell. Now, they’re moving to demolish them, which means shutting down roads entirely. This weekend’s closure is just the tip of the iceberg—WSDOT will close westbound SR 522 at I-405 from Friday night into Saturday, focusing on dismantling the shortest section of the old northbound 405 ramp to westbound 522, near the University of Washington Bothell. It’s manageable, but it’s only the beginning.
The real chaos begins the following weekend when WSDOT closes both directions of SR 522 at I-405 to remove the ramp that spans the highway. While these closures are inconvenient, they pale in comparison to what’s coming. Mark your calendars for the weekend of March 6–9, because that’s when WSDOT will shut down both directions of I-405 at SR 522. Northbound drivers will be forced off the freeway, detoured onto SR 522, and then back onto I-405. Southbound drivers will face an even longer detour, exiting at Canyon Park, taking State Route 527 (SR 527) through Bothell, and eventually reconnecting with I-405 via eastbound SR 522. This isn’t just a detour—it’s a full-blown disruption that will grind Bothell to a halt.
And it doesn’t end there. Another full weekend closure of I-405 at SR 522 is scheduled for March 13–16. WSDOT needs these closures to remove the flyover ramp, a project expected to cause delays of up to an hour in both directions of I-405. But here’s the controversial part: is the long-term benefit of a second express toll lane worth the short-term misery? The state is adding this lane to I-405 between the Bothell/Woodinville exit and Canyon Park, requiring a new bridge over SR 522. Those old ramps? They’re in the way, and they’ve got to go.
Construction is slated to wrap up in 2028, but until then, weekends in Bothell and Woodinville will be a test of patience. So, what do you think? Is this disruption justified, or is WSDOT taking it too far? Let us know in the comments—we want to hear your thoughts!
For more updates on traffic and construction, follow Chris Sullivan, traffic reporter for KIRO Newsradio, and stay tuned to KIRO Newsradio traffic on X. And don’t forget to check out Chris’s stories for a deeper dive into these chokepoints.
