Date:  Friday, June 27, 2008

Contact: Martin Dedinsky, WSDOT Transportation Engineer, 206-440-4459 (Seattle)
Patrick Conrad, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4473 (Seattle)

SEATTLE – Beginning Monday, June 30 drivers will notice big barrels and attenuator trucks on the I-90 express lanes on Mercer Island, along with temporary changes to the express lane schedule.

For the next eight weeks, crews will be working to install new automatic gates at the East Mercer Way entrance to the express lanes. To complete this work, crews must remove and replace the existing gates and rebuild the median barrier. While the gates are being replaced, crews will use barrels and trucks to open and close the reversible center roadway.

The modified schedule will be in effect through August 16:

• Monday – Thursday - The westbound lanes will be open from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m; the eastbound lanes will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. the following day.
• Friday – The westbound lanes will be open from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m.; the eastbound lanes will be open at 11 a.m. and will remain open in the eastbound direction all weekend until 3 a.m. Monday.
• Saturday and Sunday – The express lanes will run in the eastbound direction.

Drivers who use the express lanes during the weekends should note that the lanes will be open only in the eastbound direction. Travelers heading west toward Seattle on I-90 will need to use the general purpose lanes.

“Since the express lanes will only run eastbound on the weekends, drivers need to be prepared,” said WSDOT Transportation Engineer Martin Dedinsky. “We’re not expecting any significant traffic backups but drivers should plan ahead and leave early.”

This work is part of WSDOT and Sound Transit’s effort to add new 24-hour HOV lanes in each direction on I-90. The project includes building a new direct access ramp from I-90 to 80th Avenue SE on Mercer Island for HOV and bus traffic.

For more project information, please visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I90/TwoWayTransit.

Note to drivers: We do our best to make work zones safe for workers and drivers by making work zones visible. Drivers need to do their part to help keep everyone safe on our highways by staying awake, alert, sober, keeping both hands on the wheel, eyes on the roadway, obeying speed limits and directions from flaggers. Please "Give 'em a Brake" by driving slower through the construction zone.

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Drivers can now get real time traffic and weather information by dialing 5-1-1 from most phones. This new traveler information system builds upon the highly successful Washington State Highway hotline that managed 4.6 million calls each year. Callers can also use 5-1-1 to get statewide construction, mountain pass condition, and state ferry system information, as well as toll free numbers for passenger rail and airlines. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.

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