Date:
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Contact:
Roland Benito, Project Engineer, (206) 786-5973 (Kirkland)
Amy Creekmore, WSDOT Communications, (425) 301-2023 (Bellevue)
KIRKLAND – Crews working for WSDOT will close two northbound I-405 lanes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 22 to reconstruct the freeway. Without drivers’ help, engineers expect two-mile backups on northbound I-405 throughout the weekend, with the worst congestion between noon and 6 p.m.
- At 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 22, crews will close the northbound I-405 HOV lane and the far right general purpose lane between NE 85th and NE 116th streets. These two lanes will remain closed around the clock until 5 a.m. Monday, June 25.
- Three lanes of northbound I-405 and all on- and off- ramps between NE 85th and NE 116th streets will remain open.
- Crews may close an additional lane in the early morning Saturday and Sunday between midnight and 7 a.m.
“Northbound I-405 carries approximately 5,000 vehicles per hour on a typical weekend afternoon,” said WSDOT Traffic Engineer Martin Dedinsky. “One third of these drivers, or approximately 1,500 per hour, will need to choose other routes or modes of transportation to prevent severe congestion on northbound I-405.”
While the two lanes are closed, crews will modify the slope of the new and existing roadway so that rainwater drains properly when the project is complete this fall. Construction crews will work primarily on the left side of northbound I-405 and in the median.
“Closing two lanes for one weekend allows crews to get the job done quickly and prevents us from having to spread the work over a long period of time,” said Project Engineer Roland Benito. “The weekend closure is also the safest alternative for both motorists and construction crews.”
To help prevent congestion, WSDOT asks drivers to:
- Plan before you go
- Check real-time traffic information by calling 5-1-1 or visit our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle
- Take alternate routes, including Interstate 5 and State Route 202
- Carpool
- Ride the bus
- Allow extra time for travel
- Reschedule trips
To help keep traffic moving during the closure, WSDOT will:
- Provide driver information on variable message signs, highway advisory radio and via our toll-free 5-1-1 traveler information phone line.
These closures are necessary for construction of WSDOT’s Kirkland Nickel Stage 1 Project. For more information or to sign up for e-mail updates, visit http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/i405/KirklandNickelStage1/.
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