Date:
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Contact:
Doug Haight, Project Engineer, (425) 649-4429 (Bellevue)
Laura Johnson, WSDOT Communications, (206) 254-7625 (Seattle)
SEATTLE – Drivers in Kirkland should prepare for some major traffic effects in the coming week. Sound Transit’s I-405 Totem Lake Freeway Station Project is entering a period of major activity, requiring several significant closures.
Friday through Monday, Feb. 17-20
- The southbound I-405 on-ramp from westbound NE 124th Street will be closed.
Tuesday through Thursday nights and Saturday night (Feb. 21-23 and 25)
- Up to three lanes of southbound I-405 will be closed.
- All lanes in both directions of NE 132nd Street under I-405 will be closed.
Monday, Feb. 27 through late April
- Totem Lake Blvd. will be closed at the NE 128th intersection.
Crews will close the southbound I-405 on-ramp from westbound NE 124th at 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17 to move the ramp several feet to the west. It will be closed around the clock until 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20. Signed detours will be in place. The southbound on-ramps from eastbound NE 124th Street and from NE 116th Street will remain open.
Next week crews will close up to three lanes on southbound I-405 nightly to set girders for widening the southbound I-405 bridge over NE 132nd. All lanes of NE 132nd under I-405 will also close nightly. The following Monday (Feb. 27) begins a total closure of Totem Lake Blvd at the NE 128th intersection for up to eight weeks as crews raise the elevation of the intersection to meet the height of the new NE 128th bridge over I-405. Local access will be maintained.
All of this work is associated with Sound Transit’s Totem Lake Freeway Station Project, designed and built by WSDOT. New HOV ramps in the I-405 median will allow carpools, vanpools and buses to enter and exit the freeway without merging through three lanes of traffic, easing congestion and enhancing safety for all drivers. The new bridge across I-405 at NE 128th Street will provide a new east-west route across I-405 for all drivers. The new ramps and bridge are scheduled to open in late 2006. This project will also complement WSDOT’s larger plan for congestion improvements along the I-405 corridor.
For more project information or to sign up for e-mail updates on I-405 projects, please visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I405/TotemLake.
###
Drivers can now get real time traffic and weather information by dialing 5-1-1 from most phones. This new traveler information system builds upon the highly successful Washington State Highway hotline that managed 4.6 million calls each year. Callers can also use 5-1-1 to get statewide construction, mountain pass condition, and state ferry system information, as well as toll free numbers for passenger rail and airlines. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.
< Back to News Home