Date:
Monday, July 30, 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 – Traffic delays were longer than expected on I-90 and I-405 last night during WSDOT’s scheduled rolling slowdown. Seattle City Light crews raised power lines near the I-90/I-405 interchange and drivers experienced fifty minute delays in both directions of I-90 and I-405 between midnight and 4 a.m.
Engineers originally anticipated 20 to 40 minute delays but are now advising drivers to allow an extra hour if traveling between midnight and 4 a.m. over the next three nights.
“Seattle City Light experienced problems with equipment last night. Using the resources we have available, the work will take a little longer than expected and drivers should allow an extra hour if they can’t take alternate routes,” said project engineer Seema Javeri.
Tonight through Wednesday night (July 30 - Aug. 2) drivers should anticipate up to 50-minute delays between midnight and 4 a.m. at the I-405/I-90 interchange. Each night the Washington State Patrol will conduct a series of intermittent, rolling slowdowns in both directions of I-405 and I-90 near the I-405/I-90 interchange. 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 SE 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
At the beginning of each slowdown, crews will close the on-ramps simultaneously, and will reopen each ramp as the slow rolling traffic is escorted past by the Washington State Patrol.
To help prevent congestion, WSDOT asks drivers to:
- Reschedule trips on I-405 and I-90 outside of the midnight to 4 a.m. timeframe on July 30 through Aug. 2
- 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
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/.
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