Mercer ramp closure could cause weekend traffic delays

SEATTLE -- Be prepared for extra traffic if you're planning to head to downtown Seattle this weekend.

Starting at 11 p.m. Friday, the Interstate 5 on- and off-ramps at Mercer Street will be closed until Monday morning as part of the ongoing Mercer Corridor Project.

The closure will allow crews to install new drainage facilities, repair the off-ramp roadway base, repave and stripe the off-ramp, install guardrails and continue installing sign bridges across the ramps.

Detour routes will be posted on the roadways but expect delays in the area, especially on Denny Way, which will be the most heavily used backup road.

Detour route maps and additional information on the project are available here.

The ramps are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday.