Work on I-90 and SR 520 bridges will slow traffic across Lake Washington this weekend

Drivers should plan ahead for construction on eastbound Interstate 90 and westbound State Route 520 this weekend and prepare for possible traffic delays across Lake Washington.

December 10, 2015 1:26 pm
Traffic on both Lake Washington bridges is expected to be slow this weekend.
Traffic on both Lake Washington bridges is expected to be slow this weekend.

The following is a release from the Washington State Department of Transportation:

Drivers should plan ahead for construction on eastbound Interstate 90 and westbound State Route 520 this weekend and prepare for possible traffic delays across Lake Washington.

Contractor crews working for WSDOT and Sound Transit will reduce eastbound I-90 down to one lane and detour all eastbound traffic to the express lanes from 11p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 to 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14. During the weekend contractor crews will continue upgrading tunnel operations systems inside the eastbound Mount Baker and Mercer Island tunnels as part of a project to add around the clock HOV lanes to I-90 between Seattle and Bellevue.

From 6 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 to 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14, westbound State Route 520 will be closed between 92nd Avenue Northeast and Montlake Boulevard to allow contractor crews to remove portions of the 24th Avenue East bridge and continue constructing a new westbound off-ramp to East Lake Washington Boulevard.

I-90 closure details

11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 to 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14

  • Eastbound I-90 traffic between Rainier Avenue South and Bellevue Way Southeast is routed to the express lanes from 11 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday.
  • The eastbound I-90 exit to Rainier Avenue South will remain open.
  • The Rainier Avenue South on-ramps to eastbound I-90 will be closed. Drivers should follow the signed detour via South Dearborn Street and Fourth Avenue South.
  • Flammable materials will be prohibited on eastbound I-90. Drivers must use alternate routes such as Interstate 405 or state routes 520 or 522.
  • The I-90 trail will not be affected during the closure.

SR 520 closure details

6 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 to 5 a.m. Monday, Dec. 14

  • Westbound SR 520 will be closed from 92nd Avenue Northeast to Montlake Boulevard

Special events

University of Washington Basketball at the Alaska Airlines Arena

  • 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12

Muse concert at Key Arena

  • 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12

Jingle Bell Run/Walk in downtown Seattle

  • 7 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 13

WSDOT needs help from drivers to keep traffic moving

Drivers should plan ahead for construction and create a travel strategy:

  • Allow extra time to travel through the work zone or on alternate routes.
  • Ride transit, carpool or use other forms of transportation.
  • Travel early in the morning or later in the evening, or reschedule discretionary trips.
  • Check the Seattle Traffic and travel times pages for updated traffic conditions.
  • Download WSDOT’s mobile app.