Drivers dealt with delays in the I-90 / Front Street area Friday, March 13, 2015, after an over-height truck hit the freeway overpass while traveling on Front Street around 10AM, creating a large hole in the concrete overpass.
Crews examined the overpass after the collision and deemed it safe, but one lane of eastbound I-90 was closed until crews could complete a full inspection.
Structural Inspection
The Washington State Department of Transportation’s Bridge Preservation Office inspected the structure Friday afternoon. Structural engineers determined it was safe to reopen the right lane of eastbound I-90 at Front Street, but the right shoulder will remain closed as a safety precaution until permanent repairs can be made.
Crews will close up to two right lanes starting at 6:30PM, March 13th, to install a barrier along the shoulder of the overpass. That work is estimated to be done by 10PM and then all lanes of eastbound I-90 will reopen through Issaquah.
WSDOT engineers will use information gathered during Friday’s inspection to determine if the damaged girder can be repaired or must be replaced.
“The permanent repairs won’t be cheap,” said Bridge Preservation Engineer Harvey Coffman. “It could cost $1 million or more to completely replace this girder.”
Earlier Friday
At least two lanes of Front Street were closed as the truck was removed Friday morning. The left lane of the Front Street off ramp from eastbound I-90 was also closed and finally reopened around 4:30PM.
The lane closures created a traffic backup that stretched west toward the West Lake Sammamish Parkway exit.
One Snoqualmie Valley resident who works in Issaquah said that traffic along Gilman Blvd was very heavy Friday afternoon, and advised people to avoid the area.
The City of Issaquah asked residents to use alternate routes around the area while the clean up and inspection work occurred
