Shift happens! Get ready for the new (temporary) normal on SR 520

By: Tony Black

 SR 520 Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke Lid Project update

Look – we know construction can bring a lot of change to your commutes. With construction happening for the Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke Lid Project and Revive I-5 Project, getting around the Seattle area can be challenging. That’s why we want to keep you updated on some major shift(s) that’s about to go down. We want full transparency: the only shifty business will be with our ramps, not our information!

Continue reading to learn more about:

• Our upcoming ramp shifts near I-5 and Montlake Boulevard
• A 10-day long eastbound SR 520 to Montlake Boulevard ramp closure
• How to contact the project team with questions and comments

Shift #1: Northbound I-5 to eastbound SR 520 ramp shift

Our first phase of work will affect people traveling northbound on I-5 towards eastbound SR 520.

During the weekend of May 8-11, crews will close the northbound I-5 ramp to eastbound SR 520. During the closure, we’ll move traffic barriers, add lane striping and prepare the new temporary off-ramp for travelers.

Between 10 p.m. Friday, May 8 and 6 a.m. Monday, May 11, travelers on northbound I-5 will not be able to take the ramp to eastbound SR 520.

On your left! New traffic patterns for northbound I-5 travelers

On the morning of May 11, people traveling from northbound I-5 to eastbound SR 520 will be on a new ramp that will put them in a new section of SR 520. This will be a major shift from before, and drivers need to be prepared.

Instead of entering SR 520 in the right lane, the new ramp will go over and around existing ramps. Travelers will now enter eastbound SR 520 in the left lane.

Map showing how the new northbound I-5 to eastbound SR 520 ramp will interact with the existing southbound I-5 ramp. Travelers coming from northbound I-5 heading to eastbound SR 520 will now enter the highway on the left side instead of the right, as it is today.

What to expect

• On your left! Travelers on the temporary ramp will now enter eastbound SR 520 in the left lane instead of the right lane.

• Follow the leader: The ramp from southbound I-5 to eastbound SR 520 will not change during this traffic shift. However, travelers on this ramp should now expect traffic on their left side instead of on their right side.

• Get ready for curveballs: The temporary ramp will have a tighter turn than the current ramp, and travelers should exercise caution when driving in the area.

• Shift happens: Northbound I-5 to eastbound SR 520 drivers wanting to exit onto Montlake Boulevard will now need to change lanes.

This will be the first of two traffic shifts we have planned for this spring. Northbound to eastbound drivers – catch you on the flip side (of SR 520)!

Shift #2: Eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard long-term closure and ramp shift

A few weeks after we finish our first traffic shift, we’ll start preparing to shift eastbound SR 520 travelers as they head towards Montlake Boulevard. This will require us to close the eastbound off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard for ten days while we finish building the new temporary ramp and begin removing the existing ramp.

We have two big closures planned before we can shift traffic.

• Round 1 – Eastbound SR 520 closed for a full weekend: From 10 p.m. Friday, May 29 to 6 a.m., Monday, June 1, we will fully close eastbound SR 520 between I-5 and Montlake in Seattle.
• Only the segment of eastbound SR 520 between I-5 and Montlake Boulevard will close.
• Eastbound SR 520 across Lake Washington will stay open.
• Round 2 – Eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard remains closed: We will keep the eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard closed through early morning on Monday, June 8. 
• During Round 2 of construction, traffic from I-5 entering eastbound SR 520 will not be able to exit onto Montlake Boulevard and will continue across Lake Washington. Drivers will pay the SR 520 bridge toll.
• Those who want to avoid the toll or access Montlake Boulevard from I-5 must use alternate routes.

That’s a lot of dates to track! Let’s simplify this.

From Friday night, May 29 to Monday morning, June 8, eastbound SR 520 travelers will NOT be able to get off at Montlake Boulevard. Travelers on northbound I-5 wanting to get to Montlake will need take alternative exits on I-5.

During these closures, we will install new traffic barriers and lane striping on the new ramp. We will also begin removing some sections of the existing off-ramp to make room for future permanent structures.

On the morning of Monday, June 8, we’ll have completed our site preparation, and we’ll shift eastbound traffic onto a new, temporary off-ramp to Montlake Boulevard.

What’s the deal with this new off-ramp?

Well, to give us enough room for new permanent ramps and structures, the new temporary off-ramp will need to begin much earlier on the bridge than the existing off-ramp. See below for what that will look like.

An aerial view of the new temporary off-ramp and the closed existing off-ramp.

What to expect

• Spring into action earlier: Eastbound SR 520 travelers taking the exit to Montlake Boulevard should be prepared to exit earlier than usual and pay attention to additional signs.
• Don’t lose your shift: Please be patient with your fellow travelers as they navigate both of our traffic shifts. An earlier exit means an earlier decision about switching lanes – keep calm and travel on!

Travelers heading eastbound on SR 520 that don’t exit onto Montlake Boulevard will continue onto the SR 520 floating bridge. The floating bridge is a tolled facility, and drivers headed eastbound will be charged a toll for crossing it.

Shifts about to get real!

Here’s how the two ramp shifts will work for eastbound travelers.

A map showing the new eastbound ramps at the I-5 and Montlake interchanges on SR 520.

By shifting these ramps, we can make way for new permanent infrastructure that will help support the new Portage Bay bridges and the Roanoke Lid. This will be a big step toward helping us finish the project.

When the project is completed in 2031, there will be new, permanent off-ramps at the I-5 and Montlake Boulevard interchanges.

Questions?

Visit the SR 520 Construction Corner website for additional information on construction activities and impacts.

For questions, please call our 24-hour hotline at 206-319-4520 or email us at SR520bridge@wsdot.wa.gov.

Your Feedback in Action: How Community Input Guides a Project

By: Zack Howard

When we asked for feedback on improvements to State Route 99 between South 272nd and SR 516, the community responded in a big way. Your input helped shape the long-term vision for this project. We are grateful for your ideas and excited to share how they are influencing our work.

Project Vicinity Map 

Establishing the long-term vision while pushing for near-term change

Our goal is to build “Complete Streets.” These are roads designed for everyone, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users. While the lack of available funding means we can’t build the SR 99 long-term vision preferred by the community, we do have funding for some bicycle and pedestrian improvements. These improvements will help make the road feel less stressful and more welcoming while we wait for the opportunity and funding to put the bigger vision in place.

Below, we’ll discuss both the deferred long-term vision and the near-term improvements we plan to implement, as well as the role the community played in helping us make these decisions.

Reaching the Community

Our online open house and survey ran from September 30 through November 8, 2025. Here is how we connected.

• 763 people visited the project website.
• 179 people completed the survey.
• 19,000 postcards were mailed to residents and businesses.
• Multiple Languages: The survey was available in English, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, and Ukrainian.

What we heard and how it informs the corridor vision

How People Travel Today

Most people who took our survey said they don’t regularly walk, bike, or roll along this part of SR 99. About half said they rarely or never do. However, many people said they would walk or bike more often if the roads were improved.

This matches common travel patterns. People are more likely to use active transportation like biking if there are sidewalks and bike lanes. People feel more comfortable when those features are easy to access.

Why This Corridor Matters

People use this stretch of SR 99 in their everyday lives. Many respondents live nearby and travel along the corridor to shop, visit restaurants, attend appointments, commute to work or school, recreate and visit friends and family. The corridor functions as both a destination and a key regional route.

Safety Is the Top Priority

When we asked about long-term goals, one theme stood out: people want to move through this area with greater confidence.

The most common priorities included:

• Better lighting and visibility
• Support for drivers
• Improvements for people walking, biking, and rolling
• Safety and visibility in crosswalks

What Improvements People Want to See

When it comes to specific features, high-visibility crossings were the clear favorite. Other commonly supported improvements included:

• Separated paths and bike lanes
• Pedestrian refuge islands
• Wider sidewalks

Some community members also suggested additional lighting, speed-control measures, and other safety-focused upgrades.

Where Improvements Are Needed Most

Respondents highlighted several key locations for improvement, including:

• The intersection at South 272nd Street and SR 99
• Kent Des Moines Road/SR 516 and SR 99
• Areas between South 240th Street and South 252nd Street

Some people said the entire corridor could benefit from improvements, while others pointed to specific intersections, bus stops or businesses.

Everyday Destinations Along the Corridor

Many of the places people visit most often are everyday spots like grocery stores, shops, restaurants, the library, and Highline College. This shows how important it is to have reliable ways to get around on foot or by bike for daily needs.

How community feedback informed the recommended corridor vision

Your feedback on what you need and what you prefer directly guided our team’s decisions. Based on what we heard, we chose Alternative 2 as the preferred long-term vision for this area.

Right now, we have enough funding to pave the road and make some immediate improvements, but we do not yet have enough for the full Alternative 2 design. We will need to wait for additional funding before we can implement this design. When that time comes, we will return to the community. We want to make sure the plan still meets the needs of everyone who relies on SR 99. We are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way.

The selected preferred alternative, Alternative 2. 

In the meantime, WSDOT has worked with the City of Kent to identify near-term improvements – additions that include:

Truck aprons – mountable curbs that let trucks execute wider turns but give pedestrians visibility as they approach the crosswalk

Enhanced driveways – breaking up wider driveways to decrease crossing time for pedestrians and reduce conflicts with turning vehicles

Speed cushions – slowing turning traffic to increase awareness of crossing movements. 

If you’d like to learn more about the online open house, the feedback we received, and how these decisions were made, read the full summary on our project webpage: Online Open House Summary

Next steps

Construction is currently scheduled to begin in summer 2026 to pave SR 99, upgrade ADA ramps, and construct improvements that can be implemented during the paving and ADA construction. These improvements include lane narrowing, speed cushions, truck aprons and enhanced driveways. Right now, funding is available for the near-term work. Additional funding will be needed before the full preferred long-term vision can be built.

As we move into construction, we’ll continue engaging with the community and coordinating closely with our agency partners. Your input remains an important part of how this project moves forward.

Learn more and stay informed

We are committed to transparency throughout this process, and your feedback and voice make a difference. Thanks for helping to make this community-driven.

Project webpage

Visit the project page for the latest updates, detailed information and recordings/presentations from our Advisory Group meetings.

Email updates: Sign up for news and study updates.

Contact Info

Amber Stanley - Community Engagement Lead

Phone: 206-817-8833

Email: amber.stanley@wsdot.wa.gov

A split second can change everything: A highway maintenance worker’s close call on I-90

By Tina Werner

An instant. That’s all it took for nighttime highway maintenance worker Josh Quilici’s life to flash before his eyes. Josh was treating Interstate 90 for snow and ice near Kittitas this past winter when he was hit by a semi-truck.

Josh, who helps keep major state routes open like Snoqualmie Pass during the harsh winter months, was driving a snowplow on the evening of January 17. His team works tirelessly around the clock to clear and treat highways, ensuring people and goods can travel safely through snowy conditions.

Around milepost 115, Josh’s routine shift took a terrifying turn. Another vehicle collided with his snowplow, flipping him upside down and sending him and his truck into a ditch.

 Josh’s upside down plow truck after being hit by another vehicle on I-90 in January.

“The next thing you know I was hit and rolling,” Josh recalls. “I was thrown into the air and rolled down an embankment. I hit my head against the steering wheel and had to figure out where I was and what happened.”

The driver responsible was later cited by the Washington State Patrol for driving under the influence and reckless endangerment

Despite the confusion and his injuries, Josh knew he needed to call for help and check on the other driver. Miraculously, a few good Samaritans stopped after witnessing the crash and helped him crawl out through a window. Crawling on the roof of his overturned snowplow to access the passenger side window, Josh was able to call 9-1-1. He also alerted our nearby dispatch center of what had just occurred so they could send backup.

Josh's snowplow was flipped upside down after being hit by a suspected drunk driver on I-90. Josh crawled out his narrow passenger window to safety and was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation.

Josh suffered neck and back pain, facial injuries and large bruises on his forehead and nose. He was transported to a nearby hospital in Ellensburg for evaluation. Thankfully, Josh made a full recovery. This crash easily could have ended in tragedy, though, and is a stark reminder of the dangers our crews face. These crashes are totally preventable.

“If those people had not stopped to help me, who knows how long it may have been before I was able to get help,” Josh said.

Josh has worked with our agency for three years. He credits the support of his Ellensburg crew and supervisors for helping him through recovery. He was on medical leave for a short period and recently returned to work. Our agency also offers employee resources like the peer support program which provides a compassionate listening ear to individuals who have been exposed to traumatic events.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Josh has been hit. Another incident occurred on I-82 also by a suspect impaired driver.

Earlier this week, Josh bravely shared his story at our annual Worker Memorial ceremony in Lacey in front of 200 guests, families of our fallen workers and partners in work zone safety.

Josh’s message to drivers is simple: Think about others when you are on the road. Employees in work zones are spouses, parents, children, siblings and friends – and they all deserve to go home safe at the end of their shift. They aren’t nameless or faceless, and they deserve our respect and extra attention.

Most work zone crashes are easily preventable: According to the Washington State Patrol, the top three reasons for work zone collisions in 2025 (in this order) following too closely, excessive speed and inattention/distracted driving.

Josh’s story isn’t an isolated incident. In 2025, there were 1,557 crashes in work zones, a slight decrease from 1,607 crashes in 2024. The largest increase was in fatality collisions, which rose by 29 percent from 2024 to 2025. The overall number was slight – seven in 2024 to nine in 2025 – but even one death or one increase is too many. Every April, our agency dedicates the entire month to spread awareness about the importance of work zone safety.

While we are thankful Josh and his family are doing well, we know this could have been worse. Josh, a husband and father, says his biggest fear is not coming home to his family at the end of his shift. Every driver has a role in keeping highway workers safe.

Please slow down in work zones, put down your phone and never drive impaired. Lives depend on it.

Final pieces coming together on I-90 Sunset Creek fish passage project

By: Casey Conley

Much like a jigsaw puzzle, large-scale construction projects take shape one step at a time. Each interlocking piece builds on the last.

Taking that metaphor a step further, the full picture of the I-90 Sunset Creek fish passage project in Bellevue’s Factoria neighborhood is starting to come together.

Construction began on this multi-step project in early 2023. The expectation was that work would continue into 2027. We’ve reached a lot of milestones during the last three years. There are just a few more to go, and they are planned through 2026.

The most significant achievement so far is the construction of four bridges across Sunset Creek. Our contractor, Guy F. Atkinson Construction, built these new spans along I-90 and Southeast 36th Street.

The fourth and final bridge, constructed along Southeast Eastgate Way, opened to traffic in October 2025.

Final touches

People driving across the new Sunset Creek bridges can be forgiven for thinking the project is mostly complete. After all, the most visible pieces of this puzzle are now in place. But there is plenty of activity happening beneath those new bridges.

Since construction began in early 2023, contractor crews have built four new bridges across Sunset Creek.

Contractor crews are building concrete walls extending up to 50 feet below the freeway. These walls hold the steep hillside in place. The first phase of these walls is done, and work is underway on the remaining walls.

Contractor crews are currently building concrete walls that extend up to 50 feet below the freeway.

Once that’s done, we will remove the maze of culverts that previously carried Sunset Creek beneath nearly a dozen traffic lanes. These culverts prevent fish from swimming upstream.

We’re also planning important upgrades within Sunset Creek itself. Crews will construct a new stream channel running north-south between the bridges. We will place woody debris and other habitat improvements, giving fish a shady place to rest and stay safe from predators.

Then, we will reintroduce the stream into its new, open-air channel. This is one of the final pieces in this project. Depending on weather and other variables, we expect this will happen in early or mid-2027.

More work remains

We designed this project to minimize congestion and delays for people who live or commute along this section of I-90. We’ve had a healthy number of overnight lane and ramp closures over the last three years, but these occurred when traffic volumes were lowest. We’ll continue to have occasional overnight lane and ramp closures throughout the year as work enters the final stages.

Last spring, our environmental crews counted 43 juvenile coho salmon and 16 cutthroat trout in Sunset Creek near Southeast Eastgate Way. 

The eastbound I-90 HOV lane, which closed in spring 2023, will remain that way for much of the year. This closure makes space for crews to move construction material into the stream bed.

We’re planning more work along Southeast Eastgate Way in 2026. Crews began drainage and grading work in late March. We expect weekday single-lane closures on Southeast Eastgate Way near the new bridge to continue through much of 2026.

Improved fish habitat

The Sunset Creek drainage basin covers nearly 850 acres within the city of Bellevue from its source near Eastgate Park. There are chinook, coho, sockeye, steelhead and cutthroat trout in the stream.

Last spring, our environmental crews counted 43 juvenile coho salmon and 16 cutthroat trout in a small section of Sunset Creek north of I-90. The biggest fish was a cutthroat more than five inches long.

By the time we’re done, this project will open 1.65 miles of potential upstream habitat to salmon and resident fish.

More pieces to this puzzle

This project contains fish passage improvements bundled together into a single contract. Bundling work like this saves time and reduces construction costs.

Construction is now complete fish passage improvements along SR 203 south of Carnation, left, and SR 203 in Fall City. 

Later this year, three culverts that block fish passage on SR 161 in Federal Way and Milton will be replaced along tributaries to Hylebos Creek. We expect work in these areas to resume in early summer and wrap up in early fall. This part of the project opens a combined 2.2 miles of potential upstream habitat.

And in 2024 and 2025, we completed fish passages beneath SR 202 in Fall City and SR 203 to the north and south of Carnation. Taken together, these projects in east King County built three new bridge structures and opened a combined 3.4 miles of potential habitat.

Like a good puzzle, this project has taken time for the pieces to come together. But once the work is finished, we believe you’ll like the finished product.