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Changes coming to I-90: HOV lanes open, express lanes close

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Four weekend-long lane reductions across Lake Washington remain before scheduled June changes.

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

SEATTLE – The Interstate 90 weekend lane reductions are winding down, with just four remaining before the Washington State Department of Transportation and Sound Transit open around-the-clock HOV lanes in both directions across Lake Washington and permanently close the express lanes to vehicle traffic.

Following the completion of remaining work and coordination, WSDOT and Sound Transit are scheduled to open a new HOV lane in each direction of I-90 between Mercer Island and Seattle in early June and permanently close the express lanes, allowing Sound Transit to start construction of the East Link light rail extension.

"We are in the home stretch for these directional closures," said WSDOT Project Engineer Aleta Borschowa. "We appreciate the patience from travelers during the past two years and are excited to wrap up work and open the new HOV lanes."

In order to finish the project, contractor crews working for WSDOT and Sound Transit will reduce I-90 to one lane and reroute traffic to the express lanes for four more weekends in April and May starting April 7-10 for eastbound traffic. Drivers should expect lengthy delays during the weekend work, which will occur from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday each weekend.

Upcoming weekend lane reductions

  • April 7–10 (eastbound)
  • April 21–24 (westbound)
  • May 5–8 (westbound)
  • May 12–15 (eastbound)

Project background

WSDOT and Sound Transit's I-90 Two-Way Transit and HOV Operations project adds carpool lanes to both directions of I-90 between Seattle and Bellevue. This collaboration preserves the number of general-purpose lanes for solo drivers while adding all-day carpool lanes to I-90. Building the new HOV lanes on the outer roadway of I-90 will enable construction of Sound Transit's 14-mile East Link light rail extension from Seattle to Redmond.