Puget Sound area drivers who want to avoid getting burned this summer should start planning now as a big highway preservation project kicks off this month.

One of the biggest highway construction closures of the summer is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 18. That’s when westbound Interstate 90 near Mercer Island will be reduced to just one lane around-the-clock until 5 a.m. Friday, July 25.

During the closure, contractor crews will replace two 33-year-old, 92-foot-long expansion joints on the East Channel Bridge just west of I-405.

You can learn more about this project, the lane and ramp closures and find out why it can’t be done in overnight or weekend closures (one of the most frequently asked questions) on the project website. There is also a handy lane closure animation that shows what’s closed and how drivers will get through the work zone. We urge you to start planning for this now. Longer than normal backups can’t be avoided, but working together we can reduce some of the impact. There are some helpful tips for drivers available on our project announcement.