CHOKEPOINTS

Marriage of events, construction sure to slow down your travel plans

Jul 28, 2017, 9:43 AM

weekend construction, road work...

(File, WSDOT)

(File, WSDOT)

The marriage of summer events and major construction projects continues over the next two days.

Though this is nothing compared to next weekend when the Blue Angels visit, we will have another busy one on our hands.

The Torchlight Parade runs through downtown Seattle on Saturday. The Seattle Mariners are in town, and will host 1:10 p.m. games Saturday and Sunday.

There are concerts in Tacoma, as well as smaller events all over the region.

In addition, there are three big road projects that are going to get in the way of your plans.

Drivers won’t be able to use Highway 526 from I-5 both Friday and Saturday night. Highway 526 is closed between I-5 and the first exit at Evergreen Way.

I-90 will continue to see lane reductions between North Bend and Ellensburg.

Northbound I-5 in Olympia could see significant delays as well when the freeway is reduced to two lanes around Pacific Avenue.

Two major highways are also going to be closed on the Eastside this weekend as the state replaces culverts to improve fish habitat and movement.

The first culvert project will shut down access from Highway 202, the main Woodinville exit, from Highway 522.

The second culvert project will close State Route 900 (Sunset Avenue) about one mile east of I-405 in Renton.

Both of those closures will last from Friday evening through Monday morning.

Kris Olsen, spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Transportation, says detours are in place.

“Both detours are relatively simple. The amount of time you allot for it will depend on the time of day and the type of congestion you’re experiencing.”

The best advice: travel early or travel late.

Chokepoints

I-405 expansion...

Chris Sullivan

Sullivan: I-405 expansion to widen freeway in Bothell is underway

We've all seen I-405 expanding between Bellevue and Redmond, but construction to widen the freeway north of Bothell is now underway as well.

3 days ago

revive i-5 seattle...

Nate Connors

I-5 repair work to slow spring breakers, baseball fans this weekend

Beginning Friday night, three lanes of I-5 north between Albro Place and the West Seattle Bridge through Monday morning at 5 a.m.

5 days ago

Photo: April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Washington drivers can face higher insurance ra...

Nate Connors

Has your insurance gone up? Rates can take a hike for distracted drivers

April is Distracted Drivers Awareness Month. The President of NW Insurance Council says it has been working on prevention for years.

7 days ago

Signs in the eight light rail stations will provide real-time travel data for trains and destinatio...

Chris Sullivan

It’s not the whole enchilada, but light rail to roll on Eastside this month

Light rail service on the Eastside begins later this month. The eight stations are ready to roll. Test trains are running on the tracks.

8 days ago

Image: All general-purpose lanes were blocked leaving just the left HOV lane open on I-5 south of 2...

Steve Coogan

Military vehicle accident on I-5 north in Federal Way cleared after snarling traffic

A rollover vehicle accident Wednesday caused significant backups and delays for multiple hours before being cleared.

8 days ago

Rapid-Ride G Line...

Micki Gamez

RapidRide G Line: A new bus route connecting riders to mass transit

King County Metro's (KCM) Al Sanders said the RapidRide G Line will kick off shortly after the Lynwood extension is done in early September.

9 days ago

Marriage of events, construction sure to slow down your travel plans