CHOKEPOINTS

Expect plenty of congestion on I-90 into Seattle this weekend

May 19, 2017, 12:10 PM

I-90...

Expect delays getting into Seattle this weekend with more lane closures on I-90. (WSDOT)

(WSDOT)

Drivers have to mentally prepare for the elimination of express lanes of I-90 across Lake Washington. While they do, state contractors will be adding new HOV lanes the freeway.

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But in order to do that, the state needs one more full weekend of lane closures.

Westbound drivers on I-90 will be squeezed into the express lanes all weekend as workers continue to stripe the new HOV lanes across the lake. The eastbound express lanes will close at 10 p.m. on Friday and open to westbound traffic by 11 p.m.

The lane configuration will remain through the weekend.

“If you’re heading across the lake into Seattle, definitely give yourself plenty of extra time,” WSDOT spokesperson Annie Johnson said.

Johnson says traffic on SR 520 and I-405 will also be impacted by this road closure.

Contractors have to re-stripe about 14 miles of the roadway before the state can hand the express lanes over to Sound Transit so the agency can begin building light rail to the Eastside. That work won’t be finished this weekend, so drivers can expect nighttime closures for a few more weeks.

“We’re in the homestretch,” Johnson said.

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Expect plenty of congestion on I-90 into Seattle this weekend