Commuters, mark your calendars for some major disruptions on Interstate 405. From Sept. 20 through Sept. 23, travelers will need to navigate around two full directional closures - one along northbound I-405 in Bothell and another on southbound I-405 in Renton. These closures are necessary for contractors to make significant improvements to the I-405 corridor, as reported by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
The shutdown begins at 11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, and stretches until the early hours of Monday, Sept. 23. Those intending to travel northbound will see closures from State Route 522 to SR 527, and on the southbound end, from Sunset Boulevard Northeast to SR 167. With closures like these, it’s advised to check for updates and plan trips outside of peak times to avoid expected congestion.
Specific ramp closures in Bothell affecting northbound travel include the on- and off-ramps at Northeast 195th Street/Beardslee Boulevard, while southbound routes will have the SR 900/SR 169 and Talbot Road South exit amongst others inaccessible for the duration of the construction efforts. Detours will be signposted around Bothell and Renton to assist drivers in navigating the temporary changes.
The extensive work is part of the I-405/SR 167 Program, striving to transform over 50 miles of transportation systems. This initiative not only manages traffic by broadening the Express Toll Lane system but also supports Sound Transit’s rapid bus transit infrastructure, according to WSDOT. The impending improvements are not just for current commuters, they're an investment in robust community connections that extend to pedestrians and cyclists as well.
Commuters should be mindful that though the closures are scheduled, they hinge on cooperative weather. Any updates, including potential rescheduling due to rain, can be followed on the WSDOT’s project webpage or by signing up for King County email updates. For real-time information on the closures and detours, the WSDOT Travel Center map and mobile app are reliable sources to stay abreast of the latest traffic news.
