MJP –
Starting Thursday night, massive road closures will disrupt travel across the Puget Sound region, making for a challenging commute this weekend on I-405, SR 167, and SR 520.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is beginning many large-scale road closures this weekend, so travelers in the Puget Sound region can expect significant delays as they navigate around these construction zones.
There will be full lane closures on several highways from August 22 to August 26, which could affect travel plans and commutes on routes like Interstate 405, State Route 167, and State Route 520.
With the complete shutdown of southbound I-405 between Interstate 90 and Coal Creek Parkway Southeast, the most noticeable disturbance will commence. Starting at 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 22, the closure will be in effect until 4 a.m. on Friday, August 23.
A sign bridge is being removed as part of the I-405/Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes Project, which is causing this closure. Signed detours will direct traffic around the closure, which will also impact the on- and off-ramps to I-90 and the southbound I-405 off-ramp to Coal Creek Parkway Southeast.
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Afterward, there will be a string of complete closures on both the northern and southbound lanes during the weekend. Northbound I-405 will be closed from SR\-167 in Renton to SR-169 from 11:59 p.m. on Friday, August 23, to 4 a.m. on Monday, August 26. There will be detours in place to avoid the closure, which will affect the on-ramp from SR 167 to northbound I-405 as well as the off-ramp from northbound I-405 to SR-169.
At the same time, from South 277th Street to South SR 516 in Kent, southbound SR 167 will be blocked. Starting at 8 p.m. on August 23, the shutdown is scheduled to finish at 4 a.m. on August 26.
The ramps that are impacted include the one leading from SR 516 to southbound SR 167 and the one leading from southbound SR 167 to South 277th Street. In these locations, crews will be repaving and improving bridges in addition to replacing pavement panels.
Complete closures of SR-520 will also occur between 11 p.m. on August 23 and 5 a.m. on August 26, in addition to the closures of I-405 and SR-167. Between Seattle’s Interstate 5 and Clyde Hill’s 92nd Avenue Northeast, there will be a closure that affects all on and off-ramps. During this work, pedestrians and bicycles will not be able to use the SR-520 Trail. For more information, travelers are encouraged to visit the SR-520 Montlake Project homepage.
As part of larger infrastructure improvements, these closures are being implemented in the hopes of alleviating congestion and enhancing the reliability of travel. The addition of new lanes and their integration with existing fast toll lanes are anticipated to enhance traffic flow as part of the I-405/Renton to Bellevue Widening and Fast Toll Lanes Project.
The closures are quite widespread, so travelers should make plans to avoid certain locations if they can. Avoid going during rush hour or put off journeys that aren’t necessary because the detour routes might not be able to handle the regular traffic. Go over wsdot.wa.gov to find out more about WSDOT’s building projects.
Hey there! Over the weekend, we will be experiencing a “triple trouble” slate of closures along I-405, SR 167, and SR 520. Given that you may require an immense amount of patience… it seemed appropriate to compare it to the three-headed gatekeeper of the underworld.
