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I-90 floating bridge to close for Blue Angels Seafair shows

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Date:  Monday, August 02, 2010

Contact: Patrick Conrad, WSDOT Communications, (206) 440-4473
Dan Wartelle, Seafair, (206) 728-0123

What’s happening in the next 24 hours: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Construction/2010/today.htm  

Intermittent closures Aug. 5-8 to affect traffic across Lake Washington

SEATTLE – Drivers should expect congestion and plan ahead for this week’s closures of I-90 across Lake Washington for the Seafair air shows featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will close all lanes of I-90 between I-5 in Seattle and Island Crest Way on Mercer Island several times between Thursday, Aug. 5, and Sunday, Aug. 8.

To avoid congestion, drivers who want to cross Lake Washington via I-90 should plan to get to the bridge at least an hour ahead of the closures and consider using alternate routes such as I-405, SR 520 or I-5.

The SR 520 bridge will remain open to vehicle traffic during the I-90 closures. Marine traffic needing access to the SR 520 drawspan will be delayed.

No stopping or parking is allowed on the floating bridges. 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 I-90 closures:

  • Thursday, Aug. 5: 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 2:30 p.m.
  • Friday, Aug. 6: 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 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 7, and Sunday, Aug. 8: Crews will close the bridge from 12:45 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. for the full air shows. The center roadway will be closed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • The bicycle and pedestrian path on the I-90 floating bridge will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists up to 30 minutes prior to posted closure times.

I-90 ramp closures:

  • Northbound I-5 to eastbound I-90
  • Southbound I-5 to eastbound I-90
  • 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.

Note: The Seattle Mariners play at 1:10 p.m. at Safeco Field on Sunday, Aug. 8, so drivers must plan ahead to arrive at the game on time. For more information, please visit the website at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Northwest/King/Seafair  


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