Date:  Saturday, April 04, 2009

Contact: Meghan Soptich, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4788(Seattle) Quick info link: www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2009/today

Closures continue through Monday morning

SEATTLE – This weekend’s sunny weather was a mixed blessing for construction crews and area drivers. The warm, dry weather meant crews could continue with pavement repair work on I-5 in Seattle and SR 520 Bellevue. But it also meant that more drivers took to the roads this weekend to enjoy the sun, creating delays on I-5 and SR 520.

Contractor crews are working around-the-clock on northbound I-5 between NE 80th Street and NE 130th Street this weekend. The express lanes rejoin mainline I-5 just north of Northgate Way, in the middle of the construction zone. To help drivers safely navigate the construction zone, engineers initially decided to keep the express lanes running in the southbound direction all weekend.

However, I-5 traffic was heavier than expected and during the afternoon backups extended all the way to I-90. It took drivers up to an hour to travel through the backups at times.

“We expected significant delays, but the backups were worse than we anticipated,” said Brian Dobbins, WSDOT traffic engineer. “We made the decision to go to Plan B and open the express lanes to northbound drivers.”

By 5:30 p.m. crews had reversed the express lanes to the northbound direction. At the north end of the express lanes, only the right lane is open to traffic, and crews have created a path through the construction zone. Drivers should slow down and use caution as they merge with mainline traffic. The express lanes will be open in the northbound direction until midnight tonight and again from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday, April 5.

Drivers also experienced backups on westbound SR 520 through Bellevue, where only one lane is open to traffic this weekend. During the afternoon, the backups extended one and a half miles and it took drivers about 25 minutes to travel through the construction zone.

“We know we sound like a broken record, but the delays this afternoon are a good reminder for drivers to plan ahead and know before they go,” said Dobbins. “We have construction continuing throughout the summer, so we need drivers to stay engaged.”

Closures continue Sunday

I-5 in North Seattle

Northbound I-5 will be reduced to one or two lanes around-the-clock from NE 80th St to NE 130th Street in Shoreline while crews replace 46 concrete panels. All lanes will re-open by 5 a.m. Monday morning.

SR 520 in Bellevue

Westbound SR 520 will be reduced to one lane from 130th Avenue NE to 124th Avenue NE around the clock through 5 a.m. Monday, April 6 for concrete panel replacement work.

US 2 in Everett

Crews will close lanes on eastbound US 2 between I-5 and SR 204 on Sunday, April 5 to install new signs and striping. The exit to Homeacres Road will also be closed and a signed detour will be provided. On Monday, WSDOT will open the right shoulder of the eastbound trestle to traffic during the afternoon commute.

Drivers should

• plan for delays on southbound I-5 in north Seattle and north and southbound I-5 in Everett, US 2 in Everett and westbound SR 520 in Bellevue
• check the Web for the latest information before you leave at www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2009/today
• check the Seattle traffic map to pinpoint and avoid congestion www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle
• use the overhead freeway signs and the 511 driver information line to get up-to-the minute information on the road.

For more detailed closure information on these projects and other work this weekend, drivers should bookmark www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2009/today
and check the “What’s happening now” link.

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