What’s happening on the highway this weekend from Renton to Shoreline
Lane and ramp closure tonight on SR 99 in Seattle
Crews working for Seattle Tunnel Partners will close the southbound SR 99 off-ramp to South Atlantic Street, and the right lane of southbound SR 99 between Union Street and South Atlantic Street from 9 tonight, Thursday, July 9, to 5 a.m. Friday, July 10. During the closure, crews will install fiber optic lines. For more information about the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program, visit www.alaskanwayviaduct.org.
More help for drivers on the go
A new electronic overhead sign on southbound I-5 near Shoreline will help drivers with real-time road information.
The new sign just before Northeast 145th Street is scheduled to go live in August. It will provide drivers with travel times into Seattle via the mainline and the express lanes, so drivers can choose the best route into and through downtown. It will also be used to tell drivers about incidents that may be blocking lanes.
All eastbound I-90 traffic to shift to express lanes Sunday night
If you’re travels take you on eastbound I-90 Sunday night, July 12, plan to use the express lanes. Beginning at 11 p.m., all eastbound I-90 traffic between Rainier Avenue South and Bellevue Way will shift to the express lanes. The Rainier Avenue South on-ramps to eastbound I-90 will also be closed. Everything will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, July 13.
During the closures, crews will restripe the roadway to extend a temporary work zone between the eastbound roadway and the express lanes at the west end of Mercer Island. This work is weather dependent and is subject to change. The temporary work zone allows crews to convert the existing reversible ramp from the express lanes to Island Crest Way to an eastbound HOV off-ramp as part of WSDOT and Sound Transit’s I-90 Two-Way Transit and HOV Operations.
Pavement repair work in North Seattle/Shoreline
I want to pass along a few ramp closures needed for pavement repair work that could affect overnight drivers early next week. On Monday, July 13, our crews will close the northbound I-5 off-ramp to Northgate Way/1st Avenue Northeast from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 14. Then that night, they’ll be working farther north and will close the SR 523/Northeast 145st Street on-ramp to northbound I-5 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Wednesday, July 15. Drivers will follow signed detours.
Preventing roadside brush fires
Despite the weekend cool down in the forecast (thank goodness!) the wildfire danger is not going away anytime soon. Our hardworking crews make sure to take extra precautions to help prevent wildfires from popping up along our state highways. Check out our blog to see the steps taken to prevent and reduce fire risks.
Special events to note
Whether you plan to cheer on the Mariners or the Storm, take in some Seafair festivities or enjoy the parade in Wallingford, you’ll want to be aware of several summer events happening that could affect your travel routes. You can find more details on our King County Special Events webpage. Enjoy!