Date:  Friday, April 24, 2009

Contact: Kris Olsen, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4475 (Seattle)
Quick info link: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2009/today

SEATTLE – WSDOT alerts drivers to work on I-5 and SR 520 this weekend and gives drivers a heads up for the May I-90 express lanes closures which begin in 12 days.

SR 520 Bellevue
www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr520/i405towlakesampaving/

This is the last of six weekend closures for this bridge approach panel repairs. This work extends the life of the roadway and makes the ride much smoother. Once the weekend work is complete, crews will shift to nighttime closures as they repave four miles of SR 520 between I-405 and West Lake Sammamish Parkway.

This weekend contractor crews in Bellevue will replace worn-out bridge approach panels just east of I-405.

• From 11 p.m., Friday, April 24, through 5 a.m. Monday, April 27, crews will close two of four lanes of westbound SR 520 from 124th Avenue Northeast to I-405.
• The right lane is dedicated to the westbound SR 520 ramp that goes to I-405. The right center lane is dedicated to through traffic.
• There will be times during the weekend when we close the westbound SR 520 ramp to northbound I-405. During these closures, drivers should follow detour signs to enter SR 520 eastbound at 108th Avenue NE to get to northbound I-405.
• The 124th Avenue Northeast on-ramp to westbound SR 520 will be closed all weekend.
• WSDOT is working with the city of Bellevue to maximize signal timing on city streets to keep traffic moving.

This $9 million project involves 16 Washington companies and sustains an estimated 94 jobs.

I-5 in north Seattle
www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i5/seattlepavementrepair/

Contractor crews will close lanes on northbound I-5 between Lakeview Boulevard and the Ship Canal Bridge and a second closure between 85th Street and NE 145th Street in north Seattle only at night this weekend. Crews will close the 50th Street on-ramp to southbound I-5 and two right lanes between 70th and 45th streets There will be no weekend-long closures on northbound I-5.

The $21 million pavement repair project supports more than 200 jobs and provides work for nearly 20 Washington state companies.

• Crews will close two of four lanes on northbound I-5 at night from 9 p.m. Friday, April 24 through 10 a.m., Saturday, April 25 and again Saturday night at 11 p.m. through Sunday at 10 a.m. and Sunday night at 9 p.m. through Monday at 5 a.m.
• The on-ramp from 50th Street to southbound I-5 and the two right lanes between 70th and 45th streets will close the entire weekend.
• Drivers headed northbound and southbound on I-5 through Seattle should expect some delays between noon and 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
• The express lanes will be open all weekend in the southbound direction to help ease traffic congestion near 50th Street.
• Drivers headed south to the Seattle Sounders game should leave early for the game on Saturday.
• The city of Seattle will close the Stewart Street off-ramps from I-5 and the I-5 express lanes all weekend.

When this portion of the project is complete, drivers will notice a smoother ride and better traction.

I-90 floating bridge repair
www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I90/HomerHadleyBridgeRepair/default.htm

The 19-day closure of the I-90 floating bridge express lanes begins in 10 days. The lanes will be closed around the clock from May 4 – 23. Contractor crews will replace the 40-ton expansion joints that allow the bridge to flex with changing weather, traffic loads and water levels. The existing joints have been cracking and need to be replaced. We’ll replace two joints in May. Westbound I-90 lanes will be completely closed for three weeks in July to allow crews to replace two more expansion joints. The $8.3 million project that replaces the four expansion joints will support an estimated 84 jobs.

Drivers on all Puget Sound roads will experience increased congestion as drivers look for other routes across and around Lake Washington. WSDOT traffic engineers estimate delays could be up to 30 minutes in May and an hour or more in July.

Hood Canal Bridge
www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr104hoodcanalbridgeeast/

The Hood Canal Bridge closes for six weeks starting May 1. Please check the Web site for more detailed information.

What should drivers do?

Drivers are strongly encouraged to take alternate routes or plan for delays.

Drivers should

• plan for delays on I-5 through Seattle and westbound SR 520 in Bellevue this weekend.
• check the Web for the latest information before you leave at www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2009/today
• check the Seattle traffic map to pinpoint and avoid congestion www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/
• use the overhead freeway signs and the 511 driver information line to get up-to-the minute information on the road.

For more detailed closure information on these projects and other work this weekend, drivers should bookmark www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2009 and check the “What’s happening right now" link. 

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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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