Prepare for delays on the weekends of Aug. 9-12 and Aug. 16-19
By Thomas CharlsonIf you plan to travel on either side of Lake Washington on the weekends of Aug. 9-12 or Aug. 16-19, be prepared for significant closures on I-405 that will create long delays region-wide on the surrounding highways and city streets.
Last year Sound Transit's contractor crews built a temporary support structure as part of East Link Light Rail construction in downtown Bellevue. Just like unwrapping a present on Christmas morning, it's time to remove the temporary structure around the brand new concrete light rail structure, which will require two weekends of directional closures of I-405 in Bellevue.
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Here is a view of the Sound Transit light rail construction. The temporary support structure needs to be removed over I-405 in Bellevue. |
What to expect for traffic
Between 85,000 and 108,000 vehicles use this section of I-405 in downtown Bellevue, so plan for long traffic delays during the closures. Even if you don't regularly use I-405, the closures will create added congestion on alternate routes like SR 520, I-90, I-5 and city streets.
We need everyone's help to keep traffic moving. Allow extra time to reach your destination and consider using alternate routes through downtown Bellevue. Taking public transit, carpooling, walking or biking may be good options to consider during these weekend closures.
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Directional closures of I-405 will be between Northeast 10th Street and Main Street. |
Closure details
So just what's going to be closed? Here's a look:
From 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, to 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10
- The southbound I-405 off-ramp to Northeast 4th Street
- The Northeast 8th Street on-ramp to southbound I-405
- Southbound I-405 between Northeast 10th Street and Main Street
- The northbound I-405 HOV off-ramp and the southbound HOV on-ramp to and from Northeast 6th Street
- The southbound I-405 HOV off-ramp to Northeast 6th Street
- The southbound I-405 off-ramp to Northeast 4th Street
- The Northeast 8th Street on-ramp to southbound I-405
- The northbound I-405 off-ramp to Northeast 8th Street
- The Northeast 4th Street on-ramp to northbound I-405
- Northbound I-405 between Main Street and Northeast 10th Street
- The northbound I-405 HOV off-ramp and the southbound HOV on-ramp to and from Northeast 6th Street
- The Northeast 4th Street on-ramp to northbound I-405
To stay updated on the Sound Transit closures, you can always use the following tools to find detour routes and the latest info:
- Follow WSDOT Traffic, Sound Transit, and Bellevue Transportation on Twitter
- Download our mobile app
- Find project updates on Sound Transit's project webpage