Brace yourselves for a traffic-packed weekend, Seattleites. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is rolling out a series of roadblocks and detours that will likely slow down any plans for a quick getaway. According to KOMO News, starting from 11 p.m. this Friday, stretches of SR 520 will be shut down in both directions, stretching from I-5 in Seattle to 92nd Avenue Northeast in Clyde Hill with workers hustling to get paving, lighting, and landscaping tasks done over the weekend.
The SR 520 Trail won't be spared either, closing down at 7 p.m. this Friday for utility installations that will last until Monday morning at 5 a.m., creating a scenario where weekend plans could be derailed, and the traffic flow clogged across Lake Washington. In another development shared by FOX 13 Seattle, lane closures are in the cards for I-5, with only two lanes remaining operable from State Route 599 to Southcenter starting Friday at 10 p.m. until the next morning at 7 a.m., fortunately, this same period won't be affected by the Revive I-5 project which otherwise could have exacerbated the traffic woes.
Meanwhile, those commuting south of I-90 in Newcastle will have to circumnavigate the closure of the southbound I-405 off-ramp to Coal Creek Parkway Southeast, as part of the ongoing I-405, Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes Project, this closure will span from 10:30 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday, KOMO News reports.
Adding to the weekend traffic tapestry, KIRO 7 brings attention to the State Route 99 tunnel in Seattle, which will close its arms to vehicles for maintenance purposes, the closure is scheduled for 10 p.m. Friday and will carry on until 6 a.m. Saturday, a brief respite but still enough to tamper with nocturnal navigation, drivers should prep for light bulb replacements, sediment tank cleaning, and the replacement of expansion joints that will happen during this time.
Whether it's spring break or the cruise season that lures Seattle residents out of their homes, the inconvenient concurrence with road work will undoubtedly add a thick layer of frustration to travel plans. So, plan accordingly, or better yet, find an alternative mode of transportation this weekend to bypass the imminent web of road closures.
