The City of Kirkland and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) warned drivers Friday night that southbound I‑405 will be fully closed from the NE 124th/124th Street area to NE 70th Place beginning at 11 p.m. Friday, July 11, and continuing through 4 a.m. Monday, July 14.
"Fully closed is a big deal," Angela Brown, co‑host of the City of Kirkland podcast This Week in Kirkland, said on the July 10 episode announcing the closure. The city said it is coordinating with WSDOT on detour set‑ups and will post a detour map and updates in show notes and on social media.
City staff urged residents who live near likely detour routes to plan ahead. "It means leave early, avoid the area if you can, park your car somewhere easy to navigate," Brown said. The city cautioned that local roads will carry a significant portion of freeway traffic while the closure is in effect.
Officials did not announce additional traffic control measures beyond improved detour setups and social media updates. Residents seeking specifics on detour routing, alternate transit options, or parking guidance were directed to the city's online traffic updates and WSDOT notices.
No formal actions or permits were announced during the podcast segment; the discussion was informational. The city recommended drivers expect congestion on local streets adjacent to the closure and to check the city's channels for maps and real‑time updates.