Eastbound I-90 to close this weekend
Interstate 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, Jan. 13, WSDOT will funnel eastbound traffic from Seattle to the center express lanes for construction purposes. The detour will end by 5 a.m. Monday.
See www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I90/TwoWayTransit/weekendclosures.htm for other scheduled closures.
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.
In addition, each night from January 9-12, WSDOT will be shifting all eastbound traffic to the center express lanes from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. for calibration and testing work. Traffic control measures will be the same as those used for the weekend closure.
Several more weekend directional closures of I-90 are 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 June 2017.
Light rail open house is Jan. 19
In preparation for the beginning of light rail construction, scheduled for June 2017, the city would like to gather public opinion on the best way to add commuter parking to the Town Center area, and resident preferences for future access to the rail station.
Everyone is invited to attend the city’s open house meeting from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19 at the Community and Event Center. The evening will open with a general update on the progress of the city’s negotiations over vehicle access to I-90, and the impacts of rail construction.
Come learn more and discuss your concerns or suggestions with senior staff and council members. Visit www.mercergov.org/rail to learn more about the project.
