SEATTLE – The city plans several traffic changes to help motorists during the I-5 crunch, Aug. 10-29, when portions of northbound I-5 will be shut down.

The Department of Transportation will be replacing expansions joints and repaving portions of I-5 between I-90 and Spokane Street. It's expected to cause major traffic gridlock.

Mayor Greg Nickels said Wednesday that the Dept. of Transportation will increase staffing at its traffic management control center during the 19 days of road work.

"The I-5 work is going to test everyone's patience," Nickels said. "Tens of thousands of people will be affected by the construction during that period of time."

The DOT has said that unless half the normal commuters take the bus, find another route or simply go on vacation, traffic could back up to Tacoma.

Nickels said going on vacation was a good option.

"It's a good time not to be trying to commute through the heart of the city on I-5," he said. "If taking vacation is not an option, then our message is to please leave your car at home."

He encouraged West Seattle commuters to take the Water Taxi, which carries about 1,000 people a day. South Seattle commuters can use the bus system.

In addition, he said there will be additional temporary park-and-ride lots in Tacoma, Sumner and South Seattle.

Commuters are also encouraged to delay their commute.

"Take a little bit of time to let the rest of the commute finish, and go in at a less congested time," Nickels said.

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The WSDOT will be closing down lanes of Northbound I-5 in Seattle from August 10 - 29 to replace these aging expansion joints.

Other steps the city will take to reduce congestion include:

- Modifying 90 traffic signals along alternative routes people might use.

-Installing protected left-hand turn signals on eastbound Spokane Street to Fourth Avenue South.

-Adding a temporary HOV lane on Airport Way.

-Staffing additional traffic officers at key points.

Nickels said the August construction dates were chosen for a number of reasons: School's not in session, weather is good, and a lot of people are already on vacation.

"There are good reasons why it's going to happen in August, but none of us think it's going to be easy," Nickels said.