Date:  Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Contact: Seema Javeri, WSDOT Project Engineer, (425) 401-4126 (Bellevue)
Steve Peer, WSDOT Communications, (425) 301-2023 (Bellevue)

BELLEVUE – It’s been more than a year since WSDOT tore down the Wilburton tunnel to make room for more lanes on southbound I-405. Where four lanes once squeezed through the tunnel, six lanes will now help relieve a long-standing afternoon chokepoint.

This morning, crews opened a southbound HOV lane that will allow carpoolers and buses to directly connect from SE Eighth Street to I-90. This lane, coupled with a general purpose lane that opened in April, will bring relief to Eastside commuters.

The new lane is part of the $124 million I-405 South Bellevue Widening Project that is adding lanes along four miles of I-405 between 112th Avenue SE and SE Eighth Street funded by the 2003 and the 2005 gas tax increases.

“This is another traffic chokepoint eliminated on the I-405 corridor” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. “The hard work of our contractors and crews in this area is paying off as drivers see less congestion and improved travel times.”

On weekdays about 100,000 drivers travel southbound I-405 daily in this area. Opening this lane marks a significant milestone in the project. WSDOT will wrap up this project by the end of the year.

Major milestones; major improvements
Since January northbound I-405 travelers are seeing an increase in travel speeds due to the opening of a new northbound lane from 112th Avenue SE to I-90. South-end morning commuters are benefiting from increased speeds and reduced congestion as they head north into Bellevue.

“Now afternoon commuters heading southbound will benefit from having six lanes on this stretch of roadway” said Seema Javeri, WSDOT Project Engineer. “Carpoolers and bus riders will now have two lanes for a much smoother afternoon drive out of Bellevue.”

WSDOT added more lanes to I-405 between SE Eighth and I-90 because 40 percent of the weekday afternoon traffic exits at I-90. By reducing the backup once caused by these drivers destined for I-90, traffic delay for all drivers will be significantly reduced.

“At the end of the day, the added capacity means faster speeds, less congestion, and far less weaving in and out of lanes as afternoon commuters make their way home from Bellevue,” Javeri added.

What’s next
WSDOT also is adding lanes on I-405 in Bothell, Renton, and Tukwila and new braided ramps in Bellevue to eliminate a traffic-clogging weave to SR 520. For more details go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I405/.  

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