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First morning of I-90 floating bridge lane closures in Seattle go well

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Date:  Monday, July 06, 2009

Contact: Sandy Lam, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4788 (Seattle)
Quick info link: www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2009/today

SEATTLE – The first hours of the first day of WSDOT’s two-week, I-90 floating bridge lane closures went more smoothly than expected. Engineers predicted it would take 45 minutes to drive from Bellevue and Seattle, but low traffic volumes kept travel times under between 20 and 30 minutes for most of the morning.

Contractor crews have closed all I-90 westbound mainline lanes across the bridge to replace two cracking expansion joints. All traffic west of Mercer Island is being funneled into two westbound express lanes at East Mercer Way.

“We didn’t see as many vehicles as we expected. And that’s a good thing,” said Russ East, WSDOT Assistant Regional Administrator. “But drivers should still plan for delays in the coming weeks.”

Drivers appear to have heeded WSDOT’s advice to stay home, telecommute, take alternate routes or leave before 6 a.m. In addition, the long holiday weekend likely led to the lower traffic turnout this morning. Monday, July 6 is also a King County furlough day. It is also the Monday after a long holiday weekend.

Morning traffic
The morning commute was a little heavier than a typical morning commute. Between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. it took 33 minute to get from Bellevue to Seattle, about 10 minutes longer than usual. Traffic was a bit heavier on alternate routes like SR 520 and I-405.

Evening traffic
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle/

The evening commute will be tough if drivers don’t plan ahead. Eastbound I-90 drivers who count on those eastbound evening express lanes will not have those extra lanes. Drivers should consider leaving work early or late or going around Lake Washington on I-405 or SR 522. The Mariners are playing at home at Safeco Field at 7 p.m. so traffic may be heavier on westbound I-90 and around the stadiums.

Progress on the job

Contractor crews closed the westbound mainline lanes and restriped the road for the project. They will now move in to begin chipping away concrete. The work will last several days.

What should drivers do?

  • Plan for 30 to 60-minute delays on I-90.
  • Check the Web for the latest information atwww.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2009/today.
  • Check the Seattle traffic map to pinpoint and avoid congestion www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle
  • Use the overhead freeway signs and the 511 driver information line to get up-to-the minute information on the road.
  • Call our I-90 information hotline at 206.440.4444. The hotline is staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Leave a message and your call will be returned.
  • WSDOT has been communicating with drivers using twitter. http://twitter.com/wsdot

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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