Date:  Monday, May 18, 2009

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

SEATTLE – Morning commuters have access to the I-90 express lanes for the first time in two weeks today, after WSDOT contractor crews finished the first phase of a two phase project to replace large steel bridge joints on the I-90 floating bridge. Crews also continued work this weekend to replace cracked and broken concrete on a separate repair project on I-5 in Seattle.

I-90 floating bridge repair
www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I90/HomerHadleyBridgeRepair/

Crews opened the I-90 express lanes at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, nearly a week ahead of schedule, after replacing two cracking 40-ton steel expansion joints . The 20-year-old joints, which help the bridge flex with changing weather and water levels, posed a potential safety risk.

In July, crews will close all westbound mainline lanes to replace the two larger expansion joints and squeeze all westbound traffic into two express lanes. Delays of an hour or more are possible between Bellevue and Seattle. To avoid the worst congestion, drivers can leave before 6 a.m., commute by bicycle, or work from home or a satellite location. Commuters also can help minimize backups by joining a carpool or vanpool, or taking the bus. WSDOT has received a federal grant to offer incentives to commuters who share the ride. WSDOT also will build two small bridges on I-90 to help bicyclists get around the closure.

For more information, go to: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I90/HomerHadleyBridgeRepair/CommuteOptions.htm.

This $8.3 million project supports an estimated 80 jobs.

I-5 pavement repair
www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i5/seattlepavementrepair/

This weekend crews replaced 14 concrete panels on northbound I-5 at Northgate and southbound I-5 in Shoreline. They also ground down rough concrete on northbound I-5 between the University District and Green Lake, creating a smoother ride for drivers. Unlike previous weekends, drivers saw only nighttime lane closures.

This week, crews will continue to grind rough pavement on I-5 in Seattle.

Monday night, crews will close up to three left lanes of northbound I-5 between NE 40th and NE 90th streets from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Tuesday through Thursday nights, crews will close up to three left lanes of northbound I-5 between Ravenna and NE 117th Street from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Southbound I-5 also will be reduced to two lanes between NE 130th and NE 120th streets from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday and Tuesday nights while crews repair traffic sensors.

This $21 million project supports more than 200 jobs and provides work for nearly 20 Washington state companies.

Sound Transit University Link

Beginning tonight, crews working for Sound Transit will close the northbound I-5 Olive Way off-ramp for a year to prepare the area for the University Link light rail tunnel boring machine. A signed detour will direct drivers to Madison Street. For more information, please visit: www.soundtransit.org/x1698.xml

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