Date:  Friday, January 16, 2009

Contact: Seema Javeri, WSDOT Project Engineer, (425) 401-4126 (Bellevue)
Steve Peer, WSDOT Communications, (425) 301-2023 (Bellevue)

BELLEVUE – Crews early this morning opened a new I-405 northbound lane to help ease one of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the state. Traffic is already using the new lane, which begins at 112th Avenue SE and travels north to I-90, an area known for backups during the morning commute.

To lay the groundwork for the new lane, crews widened the freeway and strengthened the I-405 bridge over Coal Creek Parkway to better withstand earthquakes.

“The new lane will ease congestion and increase traffic flow – which will benefit I-405 commuters,” said Paula Hammond, Secretary of Transportation. “Opening the lane is part of our statewide plan to improve highway safety and reduce bottlenecks that slow traffic.”

The next step of the project comes on Monday, Jan. 26, when crews plan to open a new ramp meter and carpool bypass lane to northbound I-405 from 112th Avenue SE. The ramp meter will evenly distribute vehicles onto the freeway, create gaps for merging traffic and improve safety. The bypass lane will give carpoolers and buses better travel times and help them avoid backups. Traffic engineers will monitor area streets and mainline I-405 and adjust the timing of the meter to avoid traffic jams.

“The new lane and ramp meter are the first of several milestones we’ll roll out to the public this year,” said Seema Javeri, WSDOT Project Engineer. “Later this spring we’ll open two new southbound lanes on I-405 to drivers from SE Eighth Street to I-90 relieving another major chokepoint in the area.”

The new capacity and ramp meter are part of the I-405, South Bellevue Widening project, which widens four miles of I-405 in the city of Bellevue between 112th Avenue SE and SE Eighth Street. For more information on the project, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/i405/. 

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

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