CHOKEPOINTS

Headed across Lake Washington this weekend? Good luck

Dec 10, 2015, 12:07 AM | Updated: May 8, 2016, 12:08 am

It’s another double whammy for lake bridge drivers this weekend.

It’s directional closure No. 10 of 30 on I-90 this weekend, and the Washington State Department of Transportation is once again adding a 520 bridge closure to the mix.

Tell us what slows you down each day

Eastbound I-90 will be closed from 11 p.m. Friday until Monday morning. Drivers will be squeezed into the express lanes to get across Lake Washington. On Sunday, westbound 520 will be closed from 6 a.m. until Monday morning.

This is the same type of double closure as we saw last week, just in reverse directions.

WSDOT’s Steve Peer says the closures caught drivers off guard last weekend. He’s hoping for a better response this time.

“We had some folks say hey I wasn’t really sure [about the closures],” he said. People ending up driving up the ramp to find it was closed.

WSDOT’s Annie Johnson says drivers can expect backups on I-5 for both northbound and southbound lanes approaching I-90. That’s because there isn’t a lot of real estate between I-5 and where the express lanes peel off.

Thanks to the closures, Sunday could be interesting because of the 2015 Jingle Bell Run/Walk in downtown Seattle. Johnson says the express lanes will have a delayed opening &#8211 around 10:30 a.m.

Johnson says they know these closures are a pain, but they are necessary.

“These closures are an inconvenience for everyone,” she said. “But we need to make sure we’re getting the work done and we’re getting it done safely.”

A reminder on what’s happening during these closures:

&#8226 On I-90, workers are replacing lights, fans and upgrading the life-safety systems in the tunnels. This is all part of the plan to turn the express lanes into the tracks for light rail across the lake.

&#8226 On 520, contractors need to finish demolition work on the 24th Avenue overpass near Montlake. It is being turned into an off-ramp from westbound 520 to Lake Washington Boulevard.

Chokepoints

Photo: Cars in traffic...

Nate Connors

Plan ahead as Revive I-5 could make it tough getting to Mariners games

This weekend, Revive I-5 between Seattle and Tukwila continues and crews prepare for long-term road closures in Shoreline.

6 hours ago

I-5 overpass 145th seattle...

Chris Sullivan

Sullivan: I-5 overpass at 145th Street to close, cause major disruptions

The North 145th Street overpass of I-5, right there at the new light rail station, is about to close for seven months.

15 hours ago

Photo: WSDOT crews pump concrete at new Veterans Drive tunnel....

Nate Connors

Late night I-5 closures coming up this week as WSDOT works on new tunnel

Contractors WSDOT are prepping for work on the new Veterans Drive Tunnel beneath I-5, adjacent to State Route 516.

1 day ago

Image: A Pierce Transit Stream Bus can be seen in Pierce County....

Micki Gamez

South Sound travelers may opt for transit after major service change

It's been seven years since Pierce Transit announced a major service change. The change means more access to Tacoma and the region.

2 days ago

headphones windshield obstructions...

Chris Sullivan

Sullivan: Driving with headphones, windshield obstructions in Washington

It's another episode of "rules of the road," I'm tackling two driving questions: Using headphones or windshield obstructions while driving.

3 days ago

four-way stops...

Chris Sullivan

Sullivan: Why do so many people get freaked out at four-way stops?

There is no mystery to how four-way stops work, so why do so many people mess up this simple maneuver?

8 days ago

Headed across Lake Washington this weekend? Good luck