Construction reduces lanes on southbound I-5 in SeaTac, eastbound I-90 across Lake Washington

Work on two major roadways is expected to have a ripple effect on traffic across the region Friday, July 8, until Monday morning, July 11.

July 2, 2016 2:39 am

Work on two major roadways is expected to have a ripple effect on traffic across the region Friday, July 8, until Monday morning, July 11.

South King County drivers should plan ahead for the first of five weekend lane reductions on southbound Interstate 5 in SeaTac as crews begin repaving a 2.7-mile section between South 188th Street and South 219th Street in Des Moines. This work is weather dependent.

In Seattle, drivers heading across Lake Washington will see eastbound Interstate 90 reduced to one lane and detoured to the express lanes as part of ongoing work to add around-the-clock HOV lanes. Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation and Sound Transit will complete work suspended during a windstorm in March, when crews reopened I-90 early after the State Route 520 bridge was closed due to storm damage.

“We know both of these projects will have a major effect on Seattle area highways,” said WSDOT Traffic Engineer Mike Swires. “Even if your plans don’t include traveling eastbound I-90 or southbound I-5 earlier or later in the day, carpooling or taking transit can help keep traffic moving regardless of your destination.”

Southbound I-5 lane reduction details: 8 p.m. Friday, July 8 to 5 a.m. Monday, July 11

  • Crews will begin closing lanes at 8 p.m. Friday, with up to three lanes closed by 10 p.m.
  • Crews may close an additional lane—leaving one lane open—from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.
  • The southbound Interstate 405 on-ramp to southbound I-5 will be closed. Drivers should use I-405 and state routes 99, 167 and 509 as detours.
  • The South 188th Street on-ramp and the South 200th Street on- and off-ramps will be closed. Drivers should use SR 99 and SR 516 as a detour.

I-90 traffic details: 11 p.m. Friday, July 8, until 5 a.m. Monday, July 11

  • Eastbound I-90 traffic between Rainier Avenue South and Bellevue Way Southeast will be routed to the express lanes.
  • 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 in both directions of I-90. Drivers must use alternate routes such as I- 405 or state routes 520 or 522.
  • The I-90 trail will not be affected during the closure.

Special events

  • Mercer Island Summer Celebration: 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, July 9, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 10.
  • Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy at CenturyLink Field: noon Saturday, July 8.
  • Seattle Storm vs. Indiana at KeyArena: 4 p.m. Sunday, July 10.

WSDOT needs help from drivers to keep traffic moving

Thousands of vehicles travel on eastbound I-90 and southbound I-5 on a typical weekend. WSDOT needs drivers’ help to prevent regional gridlock during a weekend closure:

  • Know before you go: Check the Seattle traffic website, call 511 for real-time travel information, and plan for delays and added travel time.
  • Allow extra time to travel.
  • Ride transit, carpool or use other alternative modes of transportation.
  • Travel early in the morning or later in the evening, or reschedule discretionary trips.
  • Expect congestion on alternate routes such as I-405, SR 167, SR 509, I-5 and SR 520.
  • Key alternate routes for drivers heading to Seattle and the stadiums from the south end include state routes 509 and 599, East Marginal Way South, Airport Way South, and Fourth Avenue South.
  • During daytime closures, drivers should expect increased congestion on local streets, especially Rainier Avenue South, Fourth Avenue South and South Dearborn Street in Seattle; and Bellevue Way Southeast in Bellevue.