For drivers, bus riders, bicyclists, and walkers around North Capitol Hill, 2026 begins with pains for long-term transportation gains with RapidRide J, I-5, Roanoke Lid and Portage Bay Bridge projects

Drivers, bus riders, bicyclists, and walkers were steered away from Eastlake Ave at Roanoke Tuesday morning after road construction workers hit a gas line. The street closure was just part of the traffic twists and turns around Capitol Hill’s north end as 2026 begins with major construction projects on the RapidRide J line, the new 520 Roanoke Lid and Portage Bay Bridge, and the “Revive I-5” work on the Ship Canal Bridge coinciding over the coming weeks, months, and, sometimes, years.

Seattle Fire reported no injuries in the overnight Eastlake response though streets in the area remained closed into the morning commute.

Planned work around the ongoing decade of 520 replacement projects will make for the longest running impact on getting around in the area.

CHS reported here in August on the early work on the $1.4 billion project in what is currently planned as construction efforts running into 2031 to build the new bridge over Portage Bay and a lid over 520 near Roanoke Park.

In addition to a slate of ongoing, long-term closures, crews will also require temporary, often overnight closures to complete needed work. Watch signage in the area for updates.

Long-term 520 Street and Sidewalk Disruptions

The Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke Lid projects will replace the aging crossing with a seismically resilient structure that includes improved bus and carpool travel and an extension of the SR 520 Trail.

The projects will also build a landscaped lid between Roanoke Park and North Capitol Hill.

The Montlake Lid portion of the multiyear replacement project has been completed with celebration of the massive project’s walk/bike bridge taking place last winter.

The area is still served by the Route 49 bus line as the detours stretch and shift.

Visit WSDOT’s SR 520 Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke Lid Project page to learn more. If you have questions or concerns, you can call the project’s 24-hour construction hotline at 206-319-4520.

WSDOT maintains an interactive SR 520 Construction Corner map where you can filter by “Street and Lane Closures” to see if a specific block’s status has changed

Roanoke-area commuters will also have I-5 work to contend with as the Revive I-5 construction resumes in the new year.

Starting as early as this week, WSDOT crews will resume Ship Canal Bridge work, beginning months-long northbound I-5 two-lane reductions across the Ship Canal Bridge.

The work is needed to repair and resurface the bridge deck.

The first work through around January 12th will involve a weekend-long full northbound I-5 closure. After that, there will be a multi-month left northbound I-5 lane reduction across the bridge.

Finally, down in Eastlake, the RapidRide J bus route construction is visiting pains on the neighborhood like the challenges E Madison faced during the years of RapidRidge G construction.

It is for a good cause. The RapidRide J route will connect the University District to South Lake Union via the core of the Eastlake neighborhood, upgrading streets, sidewalks, pedestrian ramps, streetlights, and traffic signals.

The full project including two new miles of bus priority lanes and 3.7 miles of “protected bike facilities” has a $128 million cost estimate. The goal is to begin service in 2027.

Crews made progress in 2025 installing new drainage systems and electrical infrastructure, and installing a new water main beneath Eastlake Ave E. Planners say crews are expected to finish connecting buildings to the new water main early this month.

With the major utility work mostly complete, the Seattle Department of Transportation says the next phase of the project’s street construction is set to begin.

“This is where you’ll begin to see our neighborhoods transform to support the future RapidRide J Line,” a recent construction bulletin reads.

Work in this phase will include rebuilding Eastlake Ave to prepare for new bus service and bike lanes, constructing new sidewalks and accessible ramps, creating protected bike lanes, and laying the foundations for the new bus shelters.

In the meantime, Eastlake Ave is, well, a mess. The city and King County Metro have been holding virtual “open houses” to help respond to issues for area residents, businesses, and commuters:

These sessions are for anyone with questions about the RapidRide J-Line project to connect with J-Line team members. Whether you have inquiries about the project’s progress, need advice on how the construction might affect your commute, or are curious about the project’s broader impact on the community, their team is there to help.

You can also sign-up for email updates on the project here.

For those trying to get around the area, hopefully the near-term pains result in long-term gains. In the meantime, Joy Hollingsworth,.the area’s rep on the Seattle City Council, pretty much summed up the transportation start of 2026 for the neighborhoods involved in a recent newsletter to constituents: “I know it sucks for our north district neighbors.”

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