WSDOT News

Date:  Friday, July 28, 2006

Contact: Jamie Holter, WSDOT Communications,  (206) 440-4472 (Seattle)

SEATTLE –  The summer construction season continues in full swing. In addition to lots of construction, there are many events that could add lots of traffic to roads in Puget Sound. We strongly recommend drivers consider taking the bus or carpooling to these big events. Many local transit agencies are offering free shuttle service.

New this week

I-90, Blue Angels

The Navy’s Blue Angels team comes to town Aug. 3 – Aug. 6. To accommodate their practice and performance times, WSDOT maintenance crews will close the I-90 mainline and express lanes to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists at various times throughout the four-day period.

• Thursday, Aug. 3, the bridge will be closed from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 4, the bridge will be closed from 12:45 p.m. to 2:40 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 5, and Sunday, Aug. 6, the bridge will be closed from 12:45 to 2:40 p.m.
• The express lanes will close at 9:45 a.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and at 9 a.m. Thursday.

Seattle Mariners baseball begins at 1:05 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, so drivers MUST plan ahead to get to the games on time.
 
SR 542, Artist Point, Mt. Baker
WSDOT maintenance crews fully cleared the road to Artist Point and opened the road Thursday, July 27 at 8 a.m.
www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/about/mbrd.shtml

I-405, Bothell
WSDOT is working with Sound Transit to build a new pedestrian walkway over I-405 near SR 527 that will connect the Canyon Park park and ride to a new bus stop on the west side of the freeway. Pre-construction work began July 26. Watch for a groundbreaking event Aug. 1. www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/i405/CanyonPark/

Downtown Bellevue
Drivers should expect congestion near downtown Bellevue during the three days of the Bellevue Arts and Crafts Fair (July 29 – 30) Consider carpooling or riding the bus to the event. www.bellevueart.org/craftsfair/index.htm

Downtown Seattle
Thousands of people are expected in downtown Seattle this weekend for a series of outdoor events including the Seafair 5K and 8K and the Torchlight Parade. Seattle’s Capitol Hill will also host a weekend-long block party. Drivers should plan ahead before heading into downtown Seattle www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle/ and consider carpooling or using transit to get to the events.

SR 104, Hood Canal Bridge
WSDOT crews will close the Hood Canal Bridge to all traffic at 9 p.m., Aug. 1 through Aug. 2 at 2 a.m. and again at 9 p.m. Aug. 2 through 2 a.m. Aug. 3 for routine maintenance work. www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/default.aspx?cam=1175

Work continues this week

SR 9, Sumas
Currently, SR 9 is closed between Nooksack Road and Garrison Road.  It has been closed since July 10.  Crews will finish rebuilding and widening this section of roadway Saturday evening, July 29, and will open all lanes to drivers at that time. 

WSDOT contractors will close all lanes of SR 9 for 36 days starting Monday morning, July 31 between Nooksack Road and Garrison Road.  During the closure, drivers will follow a signed detour route to help them around the closure.
www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr9/nooksaktocherry/

I-5, Everett – Lynnwood
WSDOT contractors began work on southbound I-5 Monday, July 10. Crews are repaving 8.5 miles of I-5 including the Swamp Creek interchange. This week, drivers will see significant lane closures at night. The closures will change each night. It’s very important to pay attention in this work zone.
www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/52ndW_SR526_Safety/

I-5, Everett
WSDOT contractors will close several lanes of northbound and southbound I-5 between SR 526 (the Boeing Freeway) and Marine View Drive every night next week. Drivers should also watch for closures on the ramps to and from US 2 and I-5. These closures will change nightly.
www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/HOVSR526toUS2/

SR 202, Redmond
WSDOT contractors have closed 185th Avenue NE at SR 202 and detoured traffic to 180th and 188th Avenues NE. Be prepared for some congestion in this area as drivers adjust to the new route. The closure will remain in place through August 31 while crews lower the road eight feet to improve safety and access to the road.
www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR202/SR520_Sahalee/

I-90, Eastgate
WSDOT contractors will close the eastbound and westbound I-90 HOV lanes at Eastgate Saturday and Sunday (July 29 and 30) from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. to pave the I-90 shoulders.

I-405, Kirkland
WSDOT contractors will be closing the northbound and southbound HOV lanes and NE 116th Street under the freeway overnight from Saturday, July 29 to Sunday, July 30. A signed detour route will provide access around the NE 116th Street closure.  The on and off ramps at NE 116th Street will remain open during the nighttime closure.  The contractor will also be closing the NE 85th Street southbound off-ramp and collector-distributor road overnight from Monday, July 31 to Thursday, Aug. 3.  www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/i405.

I-5, Federal Way
Crews are planning extensive lane and ramp closures this week on I-5 between SR 18 and S. 336th Street as they repair the aging bridge decks and place a smooth layer of pavement on top of the decks.  www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/hovPiercetoTukwila/i5HOV_Pierce_S320th/ConstructionUpdates.htm

I-5, Tacoma
One lane of the I-5 to 38th Street and SR 16 ramp is closed and will remain that way until mid-August.  Drivers can reach SR 16 and 38th Street, however, WSDOT expects some traffic delays during the lane reduction. www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/piercecountyHOV/I5_HOV_S48th_Pacific/. 

Looking Ahead

SR 99, Alaskan Way Viaduct
WSDOT maintenance crews will close both directions of the Alaskan Way Viaduct Aug. 19 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and again Aug. 20 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to inspect the structure. We will make every attempt to open early on Sunday. www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle/

What can drivers do?

We may sound like a broken record, but it is important that we remind drivers that there are many ways for them to get information and avoid traffic delays. Drivers should plan ahead, check our real-time traffic map and pay attention to the signs along the way.  If you can, consider alternate routes or adjusting your driving schedule to avoid the worst traffic.

Know before you go:  visit WSDOT’s Web site

• WSDOT offers several ways to get up-to-date traffic and construction information from our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov  before you leave your home or office:
• Traffic map - The color-coded map shows where traffic is heavy and light so you can alter your commute accordingly
• Travel times - Real-time point-to-point travel times
• Traffic cameras - take a look at traffic conditions on a growing number of highway locations throughout the Puget Sound region
• E-mail alerts - Sign up for one of nine e-mail alert lists. You’ll get advance notice of upcoming construction closures  delivered right to your inbox
• Construction update report - comprehensive, seven-day advance listing of lane, ramp and road closures
• Project pages -Find your highway and see the long and short-term construction plans

Know on the road

• 511 - This driver information phone line provides real-time traffic, incident and closure information
• Overhead and roadside electronic signs - Emergency and incident alerts and, in some Seattle-area locations during rush hours,  point-to-point travel times 
• Highway advisory radio - Yellow signs with flashing lights alert drivers to tune into radio frequencies airing construction updates
• Work zones - watch for construction zone signs, barrels, barriers and cones.  Slow down and stay alert when driving through construction zones, not just for the construction workers, but also for you and your passengers.  Far more motorists are injured in work zone collisions than construction workers. 

WSDOT and our contractors are doing our part to stay out of your way and keep traffic moving. We do most of our work at night or on weekends when there are fewer drivers on the highway. We make every effort to limit lane closures and only close lanes when we absolutely have to. We also strive to get in, complete our work quickly, and get out, giving the roads back to drivers as quickly as possible.

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