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Plan ahead for construction, delays on eastbound I-90 across Lake Washington March 11-14

Publish Date
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SEATTLE – Drivers on eastbound Interstate 90 across Lake Washington will want to plan ahead for another weekend of road work March 11-14.

Beginning at 11 p.m. Friday, March 11, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation and Sound Transit will reroute all eastbound lanes of I-90 to the express lanes between Rainier Avenue South and Bellevue Way Southeast until 5 a.m. Monday, March 14.

Drivers traveling east from Seattle should plan for lengthy delays along Interstate 5, State Route 520 and I-90 in downtown Seattle. Those heading north to CenturyLink Field or downtown Seattle should consider using alternate routes.

The lane closures on I-90 will provide contractor crews space to upgrade the operations and safety systems in the eastbound Mount Baker and Mercer Island tunnels. The tunnel work is needed before Sound Transit begins work in 2017 to devote the I-90 express lanes to the 14-mile East Link light rail extension.

Closure details

11 p.m. Friday, March 11, until 5 a.m. Monday, March 14

  • Eastbound I-90 traffic between Rainier Avenue South and Bellevue Way Southeast will be routed to the express lanes.
  • The eastbound I-90 exit to Rainier Avenue South will remain open.
  • The Rainier Avenue South on-ramps to eastbound I-90 will be closed. Drivers should follow the signed detour via South Dearborn Street and Fourth Avenue South.
  • Flammable materials will be prohibited on eastbound I-90. Drivers must use alternate routes such as Interstate 405 or state routes 520 or 522.
  • The I-90 trail will not be affected during the closure.

Special events

Bacon, Eggs and Kegs at the CenturyLink Field North Plaza

  • 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 12.
  • 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 13.

Seattle Kennel Club Dog Show at the CenturyLink Field Event Center

  • 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 12.
  • 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 13.

St. Patrick's Day Dash in downtown Seattle

  • 8 a.m. Sunday, March 13.

WSDOT needs help from drivers to keep traffic moving

Thousands of vehicles travel across the I-90 floating bridge on a typical weekend. WSDOT needs drivers' help to prevent regional gridlock during a weekend closure:

  • Know before you go: Check the Seattle traffic website, call 511 for real-time travel information, and plan for delays and added travel time.
  • Allow extra time to travel eastbound on I-90 or on alternate routes.
  • Ride transit, carpool or use other alternative modes of transportation.
  • Travel early in the morning or later in the evening, or reschedule discretionary trips.
  • Expect congestion on alternate routes such as I-405, I-5 and SR 520.
  • Key alternate routes for drivers heading to Seattle and the stadiums from the south end include state routes 509 and 599, East Marginal Way South, Airport Way South, and Fourth Avenue South.
  • During daytime closures, drivers should expect increased congestion on local streets, especially Rainier Avenue South, Fourth Avenue South and South Dearborn Street in Seattle; and Bellevue Way Southeast in Bellevue.