Date:  Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Contact: Jamie Holter, WSDOT Communications, (206) 440-4698
Dan Wartelle, Seafair, (206) 728-0123

SEATTLE – Drivers should plan ahead for this week’s annual closures of I-90 across Lake Washington for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Seafair air shows. WSDOT will close all lanes of I-90 between I-5 and Island Crest Way several times between Thursday, July 30 and Sunday, Aug. 2.

No stopping or parking is allowed on the floating bridge. By closing I-90, WSDOT is complying with Federal Aviation Administration rules to create a safer environment for motorists and Blue Angels pilots by reducing distractions to both.

General closures:

• Thursday, July 30: Crews will close the bridge from 9:45 a.m. to noon and again from 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. during the Blue Angels practice sessions. The center roadway will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Friday, July 31: Crews will close the bridge from 12:45 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. during the Blue Angels’ practice sessions. The center roadway will be closed from 10:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 1 and Sunday, Aug. 2: Crews will close the bridge from 12:45 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. for the full shows. The center roadway will be closed from 10:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• The bridge will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists up to 30 minutes prior to posted closure times

Express lanes and ramp closures

• Northbound I-5 to eastbound I-90 ramp
• Southbound I-5 to eastbound I-90 ramp
• Southbound and northbound Rainier Avenue ramps
• 76th Avenue to westbound I-90 (closed up to 30 minutes prior to show or practice)
• Island Crest Way to westbound I-90
• Eastbound I-90 to West Mercer Way (closed up to 30 minutes prior to show)
• East Mercer Way to westbound I-90 (closed up to 30 minutes prior to show)
• West Mercer Way to westbound I-90 (up to one hour prior to show or practice)

The exits from westbound I-90 to Island Crest Way and East Mercer Way on Mercer Island will remain open, although drivers should expect heavy congestion.

Drivers who want to get across Lake Washington via I-90 should plan to get to the bridge an hour ahead of the closures. The SR 520 bridge will remain open to vehicle traffic during the I-90 closures. Marine traffic will be delayed.

For traffic information, please visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle 

                                 ###

WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/newsfor pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/ or by dialing 5-1-1.

< Back to News Home