Date:  Monday, July 21, 2008

Contact: Steve Peer, WSDOT Communications, (425) 301-2023 (Bellevue)
Stacy Trussler, I-405 Deputy Project Director, (425) 401-4126 (Bellevue)

WSDOT outlines traffic and demolition plan for Wilburton Tunnel removal

BELLEVUE – The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) recently announced traffic and mitigation plans for the upcoming Wilburton Tunnel removal near Bellevue. For several weeks, crews have removed dirt and vegetation from the tunnel to prepare for its demolition.

To remove the tunnel, crews will completely close southbound I-405 from SE 8th Street to I-90 for three consecutive weekends in August. This section of I-405 represents one of the region’s largest traffic chokepoints. To help relieve congestion, crews are removing the tunnel to make room for more southbound I-405 lanes in south Bellevue.

The closures will take place on the following dates and times:

• 11 p.m., Friday, Aug. 8 to 5 a.m., Monday, Aug. 11
• 11 p.m., Friday, Aug. 15 to 5 a.m., Monday, Aug. 18
• 11 p.m., Friday, Aug. 22 to 5 a.m., Monday, Aug. 25

During construction weekends, commuters will see increased traffic on all regional freeways between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. WSDOT cautions commuters to expect delays and plan their trips accordingly. “Our traffic experts predict back-ups could reach up to 13 miles if people don’t alter their weekend travel plans,” said I-405 Deputy Project Director Stacy Trussler. “Even with reduced travel, drivers should give themselves two extra hours to get around the region.”

“We recommend that people take a ‘staycation’,” Trussler said. “If you need to travel, do it early or late in the day, and leave plenty of time.” Trussler added that ‘Bellevue is open for business’ during construction. Drivers heading to Bellevue should avoid the freeways and take local arterials.

The Wilburton Tunnel spans 360 feet and is located near downtown Bellevue on southbound I 405, just north of the I-90/I-405 interchange. With the new reconfiguration, WSDOT expects to improve current and future road conditions by reducing congestion, increasing capacity and providing safer merge conditions for drivers approaching the I-90/I-405 interchange.

“We understand this situation is inconvenient for commuters, but our current freeway system needs improvements,” said I-405 Project Director Kim Henry. “It’s important to keep in mind the end result will be a better, safer highway for everyone.”

During the interim, WSDOT has developed a new Web resource to help drivers plan their trips and avoid backups during closures. The transportation department encourages drivers to visit:
www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/i405/112thAvetoSE8th/wilburton.htm. On the Web page, commuters will find links to up-to-the-minute traffic conditions, recommended detours and transportation tips.

Travel recommendations include:

• Postponing or rescheduling discretionary trips to avoid southbound I-405 between I-90 and SR 520
• Using alternative routes
• Allowing extra time to reach destinations
• Carpooling, vanpooling or taking the bus

I-405 is renowned in Washington for having the worst traffic chokepoint in the state between Tukwila and Bellevue. By 2020, WSDOT anticipates an added 250,000 people—twice the population of Bellevue—will move into the I-405 corridor, exacerbating traffic congestion. Improvements such as the South Bellevue Widening Project are targeted to relieve I 405 congestion now and into the future.

WSDOT worked with cities and counties in the region to craft a long-term I-405 master plan to address traffic congestion along the corridor. The Wilburton Tunnel removal is part of the I-405 South Bellevue Widening Project, which is a component of the master plan. Also known as the I 405/112th Ave SE to SE 8th St Widening Project, it is one of three I-405 "Nickel Projects" funded in part by the 2003 nickel funds as well as the 2005 Transportation Partnership Account.

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