I-5 southbound in Kent to close on the Sept. 26-28 weekend

SR 18 in Auburn will also see lane closures

By Steve Hunter • September 26, 2025 9:38 am
COURTESY GRAPHIC, WSDOT Closure of I-5 southbound in Kent Sept. 26-29 with detour routes.

Interstate 5 southbound through Kent is scheduled to be closed for construction from 11:59 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26 through 4 a.m. Monday, Sept. 29.

The closure is between State Route 516/Kent Des Moines Road to South 272nd Street, according to a Sept. 23 Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) news release. Crews will replace 60 concrete panels and perform other pavement repair work.

Local traffic can use SR 99 or Military Road South for a detour route. Southbound SR 167 will remain open for regional traffic.

While I-5 is closed, the southbound SR 509 expressway will also close between 24th Avenue South and I-5.

OTHER CLOSURES

Renton: I-405 southbound

• Closed from Northeast Sunset Boulevard to SR 167.

• 11:59 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26 to 4 a.m. Monday, Sept. 29.

• Crews will install drainage crossings, pave and shift lanes.

• This work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled if rain is forecast.

• Detour: Drivers will be directed to a signed detour route via Northeast Sunset Boulevard.

• This work is part of the I-405/Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes project.

Issaquah: I-90 westbound

• Reduced to one lane near Front Street. The Front Street on-ramp to westbound I-90 will also close.

• 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26 to 8 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 28.

• Crews will perform bridge repair.

• Work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled if rain is forecast.

• This work is part of the I-90 westbound SR 900 to East Sunset Way Paving and Expansion Joint Replacement project.

Auburn: SR 18 westbound

• One lane open 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, to 1 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 28. The Auburn Way South on-ramp to westbound SR 18 closed at the same time. A signed detour will guide people to the Third Street Southwest on-ramp to westbound SR 18.

• All westbound lanes closed 2 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 29. All westbound SR 18 traffic must use the off-ramp to Auburn Way South and may use the on-ramp back onto westbound SR 18. Police officers will direct traffic through the intersection.

• Crews will replace bridge joints. Work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled if rain is forecast.

• This work is part of the eastbound SR 18 C Street Southwest to Green River Paving and Joint Replacement project.

Getting around: Drivers need to plan ahead, allow extra time and expect congestion, according to WSDOT. People should consider traveling earlier or later in the day to avoid peak travel hours. If possible, reschedule discretionary trips to help reduce backups for those who must travel. Opting to use transit or carpooling will also relieve stress on local and regional detours.

Why the weekend closures:

These closures are part of WSDOT’s ongoing efforts to preserve and improve vital infrastructure. There is never a good weekend for road closures, according to WSDOT. With a limited season of warm, dry weather, WSDOT must coordinate and plan efficiently to complete work. The number of projects often results in combining weekend closures through the summer and into early fall when the weather starts to become more unpredictable.

Know before you go:

While these closures are the go-to plays, they are not the full playbook of all regional roadwork action, according to WSDOT. Most of the work requires dry weather and the game plan may shift. Travelers are encouraged to check travel times on the Travel Center map, WSDOT mobile app and following the agency’s social media accounts.

Sports teams in town:

The traffic closures could impact travel to and from the University of Washington football game at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27 against visiting Ohio State and to and from Seattle Mariners games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 26-28, against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers at T-Mobile Park. Mariner game times are 6:40 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 12:10 p.m. Sunday.