Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) announced a roadwork project that may impact drive times for Snoqualmie Valley commuters. The end result is a better road surface, but getting there will require a lot of lane closures and a speed limit change, too.
More than 15 miles of cracked and damaged concrete on eastbound I-90 between Issaquah and North Bend (Sunset Way and 436th Ave SE) will eventually be just a distant memory as crews begin work on a new two-year project slated to begin next week.
WSDOT announced contractor crews from Acme Concrete Paving Inc. will preserve the east-west route by repairing cracked and chipped pavement and replacing sections of concrete damaged beyond repair.
Work on the $21.7 million project begins Monday, May 7th.
“The concrete here is more than 40 years old and 73,000 vehicles use it each day,” said WSDOT Project Engineer Aleta Borschowa. “It’s critical we preserve and take care of the infrastructure, to keep vehicles and freight moving on this vital highway.”
Over the next two years, crews will also pave the outside shoulder, 10 on-and off-ramps, and lay down new concrete on the eastbound I-90 Winery Road bridge and the westbound I-90 Raging River bridge.
Lane closures | Drivers should plan for the following during the project:
- Single and double lane closures during the day.
- Up to three lanes closed overnight.
- Around-the-clock shoulder closures.
- Overnight ramp closures.
- Speed limit reduced to 55 mph.
Summer travel on I-90
This project is one of four on I-90 between Issaquah and Ellensburg. Travelers should plan for construction delays:
- East of North Bend (exit 34 to 40) where crews are repairing bridge decks and replacing concrete
- East of Snoqualmie Pass summit where crews are widening I-90.
- In Easton, Thorp and Ellensburg where crews are repaving several of the I-90 interchanges.
** From Monday, May 7th – Sunday, May 13th: Eastbound lane closures from milepost 34 near North Bend to milepost 40 near Denny Creek are in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week. **
