News releases
Read the latest Sound Transit news, expansion developments, and more here.

Westbound I-90 reduced to one lane between Bellevue and Seattle this weekend, Feb. 10-13

Publish Date
Body

This news release was issued jointly by the Washington State Department of Transportation, Sound Transit.

BELLEVUE – Beginning at 11 p.m. tomorrow, Feb. 10, westbound Interstate 90 will be reduced to one lane near Bellevue Way then rerouted to the express lanes until 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13.

Contractor crews working for Washington State Department of Transportation and Sound Transit will be upgrading operation and safety systems in the westbound Mount Baker and Mercer Island tunnels.

Drivers traveling from the eastside of Lake Washington should plan for lengthy delays along Interstate 405, westbound State Route 520, and westbound I-90.

Closure details

11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, until 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13

  • All westbound I-90 traffic between Bellevue Way and Rainier Avenue South will shift to the express lanes from 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, until 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13.
  • Drivers heading to Mercer Island must exit westbound I-90 at East Mercer Way. There are no westbound exits to Mercer Island from the express lanes.
  • Those wishing to travel from Mercer Island to Seattle should enter the express lanes at 77th Avenue Southeast or Island Crest Way.
  • The westbound I-90 exit to Rainier Avenue South will be closed. Drivers will need to use the Fourth Avenue South exit and follow a signed detour via eastbound I-90.
  • Flammable materials will be prohibited on westbound I-90. Drivers hauling flammable cargo must use alternate routes such as I-405 or state routes 520 or 522.
  • The I-90 Trail will remain open.

Tools for drivers

This work is part of the Washington State Department of Transportation and Sound Transit's I-90 Two-Way Transit and HOV Operations project which preserves the three general purpose lanes while adding all-day carpool lanes to I-90 and direct access ramps for transit, carpools, and vanpools. In mid-2017, Sound Transit contractors will begin work on the I-90 express lanes to operate exclusively for light rail as part of the East Link light rail project. The 14-mile East Link project, set to open in 2023, includes 10 new stations connecting Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue and Overlake.