WSDOT: Drivers should consider alternate transportation this weekend

Road work is going to make getting around the Puget Sound region this weekend difficult with the combination of big events and construction projects.

To make things worse, it’s going to be a scorcher.

You don’t want to be traveling in the middle of the day if you can help it. Forecasts are calling for temperatures in the 80s to low 90s through the weekend.

“The number of projects going this weekend in Seattle and on I-90, that’s going to really affect people going to Mariners game, heading into town for Pride Fest, or heading to Hoopfest in Spokane,” WSDOT spokesperson Tom Pearce said.

Pearce says the biggest impact will likely be on northbound I-5 between Des Moines and Tukwila. The freeway is going to be reduced to two lanes for a major re-paving project.

“We’ve seen a lot of backups from that,” Pearce said. “We do need drivers to think about using alternatives, like the bus. Think about carpooling. Amtrak runs several round trips every day between Tacoma and Seattle. That could be a good alternative for you.”

The biggest impact for those people getting out of the area will likely be I-90. There are lane reductions between North Bend and Ellensburg. Add more than 50,000 people heading to the electronica party Paradiso Festival at The Gorge Amphitheatre and Hoopfest in Spokane, and this has all the warning signs of big time delays.

Backups on I-90 between North Bend and Ellensburg have been an hour or more over the weekend, according to Pearce.

“If drivers can leave very early or later, or even come home Monday, that would really help,” Pearce said.

In Seattle, we have the Mariners and Pride events all weekend, which will only add to the congestion.

There are going to be lane reductions on northbound I-5 across the Ship Canal on Saturday and Sunday from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The I-90 ramps to Bellevue Way are going to be closed Saturday and Sunday as well.

Check the traffic map

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