ISSAQUAH – Crews have reached a major project milestone on SR 900 in Issaquah thanks to recent drier weather. Crews opened two new lanes on the highway between SE 82nd Street and Newport Way Wednesday afternoon, April 14.
The 2003 gas tax provided funding for the $33.9 million congestion-relief project, which is wrapping up on schedule this spring.
“Like drivers and Issaquah residents, we’re thrilled to see traffic flowing on the new lanes,” said Dave Lindberg, WSDOT project engineer. “We know the community has been waiting for this day and we’re happy to deliver an improved drive in Issaquah.”
Crews added nearly one mile of new lanes in both direction of SR 900 to add extra capacity to this popular commuter route. They also installed a synchronized signal system to help keep traffic flowing smoothly for the approximately 16,000 drivers who use this road daily.
Drivers can expect lane closures to continue as crews complete work on the project. Though the new lanes are open to traffic, crews will wait for warmer, drier weather to add the final layer of pavement and permanent striping. Crews are also finishing work on new traffic signals at Talus Drive and Newport Way.
“Our crews deserve a lot of credit for the hard work they put in to wrap the project up on time,” said Lindberg. “We also want to thank drivers and nearby residents for their patience during construction.”
Crews began work on the widening project in August 2008. To make room for the widened roadway, they cut into the slope on the west side of the highway and removed 40,000 cubic yards of material. Crews built more than 2,600 feet of retaining walls to support the slope and widened the existing bridge over Tibbett’s Creek.
“This project isn’t just about vehicles,” said Lindberg. “We’ve also improved safety for bicyclists and pedestrians headed to and from the Issaquah Transit Center at Newport Way.”
Crews added a five-foot bicycle lane and a ten-foot raised sidewalk along southbound SR 900 to provide a safe route for people on bike or foot.
Crews also replaced the culverts at Clay Pit Creek and the West Fork Tributary to Tibbett’s Creek. The new culverts will improve fish passage and protect against damage in future storms.
For more information on the project, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr900/se78th_issaquah.