Date:
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Contact:
Stacy Trussler, Deputy Project Director, South, (425) 401-4126
Steve Peer, WSDOT Communications, (425) 301-2023
BELLEVUE – You’ve planned two extra hours for your trip, called 511, checked the WSDOT Web site and made sure you have a full tank of gas. You might also want to pack a little patience if you plan on driving on I-405 this weekend.
I-405 closed this weekend
11 p.m. on Friday crews will completely close southbound I-405 and several ramps in Bellevue between SE 8th Street and the I-405/I-90 interchange to begin removing the Wilburton Tunnel. For a complete list of the ramps that will be closed please visit: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i405/112thavetose8th/wilburton
“Our traffic experts predict back-ups could reach up to 13 miles if people don’t alter their weekend travel plans,” said I-405 Deputy Project Director Stacy Trussler. “Even with reduced travel, drivers should give themselves two extra hours to get around the region. If you need to travel, do it early or late in the day, and leave plenty of time.”
Closure times and dates
Crews will open southbound I-405 at 5 a.m. Monday morning. Southbound I-405 will also be closed for the following two weekends:
- 11 p.m., Friday, Aug. 15 to 5 a.m., Monday, Aug. 18
- 11 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22 to 5 a.m., Monday, Aug. 25
This section of I-405 represents one of the region’s largest traffic chokepoints. To help relieve congestion, crews are removing the tunnel to make room for more southbound I‑405 lanes in south Bellevue. The Wilburton Tunnel spans 360 feet and is located near downtown Bellevue on southbound I‑405, just north of the I-90/I-405 interchange. With the new reconfiguration, WSDOT expects to improve current and future road conditions by reducing congestion, increasing capacity and providing safer merge conditions for drivers approaching the I-90/I-405 interchange.
Traveling to Renton or Tukwila?
If you are driving to Renton or Tukwila this weekend you might also want to plan a little extra time for your trip. From Friday night to Sunday afternoon crews will close the southbound SR 167 to southbound I-405 ramp and one to two lanes on southbound I-405 between SR 169 and SR 181. The lane and ramp closures are a necessary step to shift traffic onto the new southbound I-405 bridge over Oakesdale Avenue SW and Springbrook Creek.
For up to date road closure information for projects on I-405 please visit the I-405 construction updates Web page: http://wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i405/conupdates. We plan to continually update the pages with the latest closure information.
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Drivers can now get real time traffic and weather information by dialing 5-1-1 from most phones. This new traveler information system builds upon the highly successful Washington State Highway hotline that managed 4.6 million calls each year. Callers can also use 5-1-1 to get statewide construction, mountain pass condition, and state ferry system information, as well as toll free numbers for passenger rail and airlines. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.
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