Date:
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Contact:
Seema Javeri, Project Engineer, (425) 401-4126 (Bellevue)
Amy Creekmore, WSDOT Communications, (425) 301-2023 (Bellevue)
Drivers: allow extra time for travel on I-405 and I-90 between midnight and 4 a.m.
BELLEVUE - Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights (July 29-31, and Aug. 1), drivers should expect long delays when approaching the I-405/I-90 interchange while Seattle City Light crews work on power lines that cross the interchange.
Each night between midnight and 4 a.m., the Washington State Patrol will conduct a series of simultaneous, intermittent, 20-minute rolling slowdowns in both directions of I-405 and I-90 near the I-405/I-90 interchange. During each rolling slowdown, crews will close all ramps leading up to the interchange to prevent traffic from entering the freeway including:
I-90 Ramps
- Eastbound I-90 on-ramp from East Mercer Way
- Eastbound I-90 on-ramp from Bellevue Way
- Westbound I-90 on-ramp from 150th/156th Ave
- Westbound I-90 on-ramp from 148th Ave SE
- Westbound I-90 on-ramp from SE Eastgate Way
- Westbound I-90 on-ramp from Richards Road/128th Ave
I-405 Ramps
- Northbound I-405 on-ramp from NE 44th Street
- Northbound I-405 on-ramp from 112th Ave SE
- Northbound I-405 on-ramp from Coal Creek Parkway
- Southbound I-405 on-ramp from NE 4th/NE 8th
- Southbound I-405 on-ramp from NE 6th
- Southbound I-405 on-ramp from SE 8th
Ramps will be closed at the same time at the beginning of each slowdown and will reopen as the slow rolling traffic escorted by the State Patrol passes each on-ramp.
“To ensure safety, it is important that we keep drivers from traveling under the lines while crews perform certain electrical tasks,” said project engineer Seema Javeri. “We will slow traffic down to provide a window of time for crews to work.”
During the rolling slowdown, WSDOT engineers expect 20-minute delays and backups in both directions of I-405 and I-90. Work related complications could produce up to 40-minute delays. To help prevent congestion, WSDOT asks drivers to:
- Reschedule trips on I-405 and I-90 between midnight and 4 a.m. July 29-31, and Aug. 1
- 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
- Allow extra time for travel
- Consider taking alternate routes, including Interstate 5
To help keep traffic moving during the rolling slowdowns, WSDOT will:
- Provide driver information on variable message signs, highway advisory radio and via our toll-free 5-1-1 traveler information phone line
“It is important that the lines are raised so we can begin constructing the new southbound bridge over I-90,” said Javeri.
Crews will disconnect the power lines, place them on a new and taller pole, and tighten and reconnect them to the existing pole southwest of the I-90/I-405 interchange. During the operation, residents will not lose power.
This work is part of the South Bellevue I-405 Widening project. For more information on the South Bellevue I-405 Widening project or to sign up for e-mail updates, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/i405/112thAvetoSE8th/.
< Back to News Home