WSDOT says another full closure of SR 18 is coming, but don’t be surprised if they cancel it a couple of times before it actually happens. They completed the southern end of the new Interstate 90/State Route 18 diverging diamond interchange built in five days of around-the-clock work, but there is still the northern end to construct.
WSDOT is considering a similar five-day closure of SR 18 under the I-90 bridges to facilitate the work. They haven’t locked in the dates yet, and the weather may still influence when it can happen, but it will likely take place in the weeks following the July Fourth holiday weekend.
Expect the same detours around the closure that were used last time – eastbound and westbound I-90 and looping around at nearby exits. The big news here is that once they complete this second closure and reopen, they will be in the final diverging diamond configuration.
Driving toward the finish line
There is still plenty to do after that, though. While the diverging diamond interchange is the centerpiece of the I-90/SR 18 Interchange Improvements project, WSDOT is also widening SR 18 to two lanes in each direction. Here’s the expected timeline for that work.
- Summer 2025: Add a top layer of asphalt to the new westbound SR 18 lanes
- Fall 2025: Finish paving and striping SR 18 to two lanes in each direction from I-90 to Deep Creek
- Late 2025: Complete project
Free-range fish
As part of this project, WSDOT is removing fish barriers and restoring natural habitat for fish along Deep Creek and Lake Creek. People driving on SR 18 may have seen the giant excavators near the new Deep Creek bridge removing approximately 78,000 cubic yards of dirt, which is being hauled away by the truckload. They are working day and night.
The new fish crossings will open access to 11.2 miles of habitat for salmon, steelhead and other aquatic species. These fish are an important resource for Tribes through their treaty rights with Washington and also as forage for endangered Orcas in Puget Sound.
During a short fish window that opens July 1, they can dig a little deeper under the roadway to remove a culvert and restore the streambed. Culverts are large pipes that let water flow under the road, but don’t necessarily let fish swim through.
Find WSDOT at Fall City Day
On Saturday, June 14, you’ll find WSDOT at Fall City Day. They will have a booth on the main street from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so come and talk with them in person about the project. You’ll be able to practice driving the diverging diamond interchange on a poster board with toy cars and talk through how to get where you’re going when the diverging diamond interchange opens.
Additionally, they will be present at several locations throughout the area in July to discuss the I-90/SR 18 Interchange Improvements project and address questions about driving the diverging diamond interchange.
Stay connected
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[Information provided by the WashingtonState Department of Transportation (WSDOT)]
Comments
They’ll probably close at the same weekend that they have Newport being closed for retaining wall repair and that way we can really screw up traffic on the East Side.