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Busy weekend of roadwork starts tonight | State Route 18

Published 2:03 pm Friday, January 8, 2016

Beginning tonight, Jan. 8, work on two major Puget Sound area roadways will affect traffic on the Eastside of Lake Washington and in South King County until Monday morning, Jan. 11.

During that time, westbound Interstate 90 traffic will be reduced to one lane near Bellevue Way Southeast then rerouted to the express lanes. Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation and Sound Transit will continue upgrading the operations and safety systems inside the 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.

In addition, eastbound State Route 18 will be closed at Southeast Auburn-Black Diamond Road. Contractor crews working for WSDOT will replace a portion of the roadway near the Green River (Neeley) Bridge that was severely damaged by heavy rainfall on Dec. 8. Since then, the right lane has been closed and will remain closed until this work is completed.

I-90 closure details

11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, until 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 11

  • Westbound I-90 traffic between Bellevue Way Southeast and Rainier Avenue South will be routed to the express lanes.
  • Mercer Island traffic will need to exit westbound I-90 at East Mercer Way. There are no westbound exits to Mercer Island from the express lanes.
  • Drivers heading to Seattle from Mercer Island should use the 77th Avenue Southeast or Island Crest Way express lane on-ramps.
  • The westbound I-90 exit to Rainier Avenue South will be closed. Drivers will follow the signed detour via 4th Avenue South and eastbound I-90.
  • Flammable materials will be prohibited on westbound I-90 and those drivers must use alternate routes such as I-405, SR 520 or SR 522.
  • The I-90 Trail will remain open during the closure.

SR 18 closure details

11 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, until 5 a.m. Monday, Jan. 11

  • Eastbound SR 18 will be closed near the Green River (Neeley) Bridge. All drivers must exit at Southeast Auburn-Black Diamond Road.
  • This work is weather dependent.
  • Overhead messaging signs will alert drivers to the closure.

Special events

University of Washington women’s basketball

  • 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10

WSDOT needs help from drivers to keep traffic moving

Drivers should plan ahead for construction and create a commuting 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.

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