Date:
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Contact:
Lisa Hodgson, Project Engineer, (425) 282-6826 ( Renton)
Craig Kanaya, WSDOT Communications, (425) 456-8606
RENTON – It’s going to be a busy weekend for construction on I-405. You may have already heard that southbound I-405 will be closed in Bellevue for the removal of the Wilburton Tunnel. Crews on I-405 in Renton will also be working around the clock this weekend to shift southbound traffic onto a new bridge over Oakesdale Avenue SW.
"There has been extensive media coverage and notification to the public regarding the Wilburton Tunnel closure on southbound I-405 in Bellevue," said WSDOT Project Engineer, Lisa Hodgson. “WSDOT determined that coordinating the timing of the lane and ramp closures in Renton with the Wilburton Tunnel closure may minimize the inconvenience to the traveling public."
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. Once the southbound traffic is shifted to the new bridge, construction crews will be able to begin work to build the northbound I-405 portion of the bridge. Drivers will also notice that once traffic is shifted to the new bridge the southbound I-405 lanes will be higher than the northbound I-405 lanes.
Drivers heading southbound on I-405 to Renton and Tukwila should plan a little extra time for their trips and check the WSDOT Web site and call 511 for up to date traffic information. Drivers should also keep the southbound I-405 closure in Bellevue from SE 8th Street to the I-90/I-405 interchange in mind when planning their trips.
The work and closures are weather dependent and will be rescheduled for the next available dry weekend.
The I-405/I-5 to SR 169 Stage 1 Widening project is expected to open to traffic in 2010. The project will add a new lane in each direction on I-405 between SR 167 and I-5 and a new southbound lane on SR 167 from I-405 to SW 41st Street. For more information on the project visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/I405/I5toSR169/.
###
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.
< Back to News Home