Drivers traveling on westbound SR 18 through Auburn should expect a weekend-long series of lane, ramp and directional closures beginning Friday night, Sept. 26, 2025, as part of a pavement repair and bridge joints project.

The closures along westbound SR 18 will occur in two stages between 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, and 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 29. Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will use the closures to replace worn expansion joints on the C Street Southwest bridge.

People should expect delays on westbound SR 18 during each stage, especially during peak travel times. Eastbound SR 18 through Auburn will remain open throughout the Sept. 26-29 weekend, but all eastbound lanes are tentatively scheduled to close Oct. 3-6.

Work both weekends requires dry weather and may be rescheduled if rain is forecast.

Sept. 26-28 westbound SR 18 first stage: From 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, to 1 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, the right lane of westbound SR 18 will close between M Street Southeast and C Street Southwest.

The Auburn Way South/SR 164 on-ramp to westbound SR 18 will close at the same time. A signed detour during the ramp closure will use city streets to the Third Street Southwest on-ramp to westbound SR 18.

Sept. 28-29 westbound SR 18 second stage: From 2 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 29, westbound SR 18 will close at Auburn Way South/SR 164.

All westbound vehicles will exit at the Auburn Way South/SR 164 off-ramp and use the on-ramp to return to westbound SR 18. Police officers will direct people through the intersection between the on- and off-ramps.

Oct. 3-6 eastbound SR 18 closure: All eastbound SR 18 lanes are tentatively scheduled to close from 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, to 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 6, to replace the bridge expansion joints along that section of the C Street Southwest bridge. The eastbound SR 18 on-ramp from C Street Southwest and the off-ramp to Auburn Way South will close at the same time.

All eastbound SR 18 vehicles will need to use the off-ramp to C Street Southwest and may follow a signed detour using city streets to the Auburn Way South on-ramp to eastbound SR 18. Police officers will help direct traffic through intersections along the detour.

Real-time travel information is available via the WSDOT mobile app, the WSDOT travel map or by signing up for WSDOT’s email updates.