This weekend, I-90 detours return again with an eastbound closure, allowing the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to undertake light rail preparations inside the Mt Baker and Mercer Island tunnels.

Starting at 11 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 19, WSDOT will funnel eastbound traffic from Seattle to the center express lanes for construction purposes. The detour will end by 5 a.m. Monday. Click here for other scheduled closures this spring.

Islanders can exit the eastbound express lanes at Island Crest Way or 77th Avenue Southeast. Drivers wishing to reach Bellevue from Mercer Island can enter the mainline eastbound I-90 roadway at Island Crest Way or East Mercer Way.

There are up to 17 more weekend directional closures of I-90 planned between now and mid-2017 while the State builds all-day bus and carpool lanes next to the regular lanes.

This work will allow the center I-90 roadway to be dedicated to Sound Transit light rail construction in 2017.

With several special events planned for the weekend, including the Seattle Home Show at the CenturyLink Field Events Center, Marvel Universe LIVE! at KeyArena and a UW men’s basketball at Alaska Airlines Arena, drivers are asked to adjust their travels or allow extra time to help prevent gridlock during the weekend.