Date:
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Contact:
Roland Benito, Project Engineer, (425) 285-2980 (Kirkland)
Amy Creekmore, WSDOT Communications, (425) 301-2023 (Bellevue)
Drivers: plan for delayed trips or choose alternate routes
KIRKLAND – WSDOT crews planned to close lanes in Kirkland for paving last weekend, but had to reschedule for this weekend due to rain.
On Saturday and Sunday, July 28 - 29, only three lanes of northbound I-405 in Kirkland will remain open during the day while crews pave a section of roadway. Without drivers' help, WSDOT traffic engineers predict lengthy northbound backups, with the worst congestion between noon and 7 p.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.”
Drivers should expect lane and ramp closures throughout the weekend (July 27-30):
- Crews will close two northbound lanes between NE 85th and NE 116th streets around the clock from 5 a.m. Saturday to 10 p.m. Sunday. Three lanes will remain open to traffic.
- Friday and Sunday nights, crews will close up to four northbound I-405 lanes between NE 85th and NE 116th streets from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. to stripe lanes. The first lane will close at 9 p.m. with up to three lanes closed by midnight. At least one lane will remain open to traffic.
- Friday and Sunday nights, crews will close the northbound on-ramp from eastbound and westbound NE 85th Street and the northbound off-ramp to NE 116th Street from 9 p.m. each night to 5 a.m. each following morning to stripe lanes.
“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.”
“We ask drivers to pay attention, stay alert, slow down through work zones and please don’t drink and drive,” added Benito.
To help prevent congestion, WSDOT also 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
- Allow extra time for travel
- Reschedule trips
- Carpool
- Ride the bus
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, please visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/i405/KirklandNickelStage1/.
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