Date:  Sunday, August 10, 2008

Contact: Lisa Hodgson, Project Engineer, (425) 282-6826 ( Renton)
Craig Kanaya, WSDOT Communications, (425) 456-8606

RENTON – Crews in Renton successfully shifted southbound I-405 traffic onto the new I-405 bridge over Oakesdale Ave. SW at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday, crews closed up to two lanes on southbound I-405 between SR 169 and SR 181 and the southbound SR 167 to southbound I-405 ramp to shift traffic onto the new southbound I-405 bridge over Oakesdale Avenue SW and Springbrook Creek. The work was originally scheduled to close the lanes and the ramp until Sunday afternoon.

Crews had planned to have two lanes of southbound I-405 open to traffic by 9 a.m., but were hampered by rain, which prevented them from placing stripes and other pavement markings.

Crews will now be able to begin work to build the northbound I-405 portion of the bridge. Drivers may notice the southbound I-405 lanes between SR 167 and SR 181 are higher than the northbound I-405 lanes.

Southbound I-405 in Bellevue between SE 8th Street and the I-405/I-90 interchange remains closed. Crews closed the freeway at 11 p.m. on Friday to begin removing the Wilburton Tunnel. Southbound I-405 in Bellevue will reopen at 5 a.m. on Monday.

Drivers should slow down, use caution and pay close attention the signs on road while familiarizing themselves with the new changes on southbound I-405 in Renton. We are asking drivers to “Give ‘em a Brake” in active work zones or when they see maintenance workers. To read more facts and tips on driving through work zones, please visit WSDOT's "Give 'Em A Brake" Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Safety/Brake/.

The I-405 – I-5 to SR 169 Stage 1 Widening project will add a lane in each direction on I-405 between I-5 and SR 167 and add a lane on southbound SR 167 between I-405 and SW 41st Street. For project information please visit: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/i405/I5toSR169/

Wilburton Tunnel

It’s been a busy and productive day for crews working to demolish the Wilburton Tunnel on southbound I-405 south of Bellevue. Despite the rainy weather, crews were able to stay on schedule and knock down a portion of the tunnel. Traffic is still flowing smoothly on alternate routes, including Bellevue arterials.

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