Seattle to pause construction on most road construction projects for World Cup

SEATTLE — A temporary construction pause during the 2026 World Cup will be implemented by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT).

SDOT said the hiatus will run from June 8 at midnight until July 7 at midnight and will apply to “most work” on streets, sidewalks, and alleys.

“By reducing construction activity, we aim to keep traffic flowing and ensure our streets, sidewalks, and public spaces remain open and accessible while Seattle hosts the world,” SDOT said in a release. “Public space managed by the Seattle Public Library and Seattle Parks and Recreation is not included in the construction pause.”

SDOT said with hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting Seattle for the soccer matches, the pause will help reduce road congestion, clear sidewalks and streets for pedestrians and bicyclists, and allow neighborhoods to “look their best for the festivities.”

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The planned pause will conclude a week earlier than initially scheduled to help projects stay on schedule.

WSDOT separately announced in November a pause for the “Revive I-5” project that has shut down part of the Ship Canal Bridge on the major artery through Seattle.

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All lanes of I-5 will be reopened from June 8 to July 10, before construction continues through the remainder of 2026.