Drivers should get their game plan together or expect delays in anticipation of a big-time construction project on Interstate 5 in Seattle this weekend.

Beginning at 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 17, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will close all but a single lane on northbound I-5 near the I-90 interchange to replace 50-year-old worn and aging bridge expansion joints.

To help keep traffic moving, drivers should take alternate routes, carpool or take transit if they plan on traveling through the area.

The final whistle will blow for this round of work and all lanes will be clear by 10 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 19, well before the Seahawks take the field to play for the NFC Championship.

Changes to the express lanes

This weekend, WSDOT is making special changes to the I-5 and I-90 express lanes schedules to accommodate extra traffic.

Since the entrance from the mainline to the I-5 express lanes is beyond the closure, WSDOT will use the lanes to help ease southbound congestion until3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18. The lanes will close and then reopen for northbound drivers by 4 p.m. These hours will remain the same on Sunday to increase capacity for additional drivers heading southbound into downtown Seattle.

The I-90 express lanes will be open for westbound traffic from 9 a.m. Saturday, until 4 p.m. Sunday. The lanes will then close and reopen for eastbound drivers by 5 p.m.

In the Seattle area, drivers can check the latest roadway conditions with WSDOT’s online travel tools, such as the Seattle traffic page, the What’s Happening Now page, Twitter feed or mobile app.