Sammamish residents, brace yourselves for a stretch of construction and roadwork that is bound to affect your daily commute. According to a recent article from Tightline, the Louis Thompson Road will undergo installation of storm drainage structures from May 12 through June 20, causing a shift in usual traffic patterns, as reported by the City of Sammamish.
For drivers accustomed to taking the scenic downhill cruise on Louis Thompson Road, it's time to reroute. The road will be southbound-only, 24 hours a day, during the construction period. All northbound traffic will be barred from traveling between SE 5th Street and East Lake Sammamish Parkway. Detour signs will guide locals, but finding alternate northbound routes is the new norm for the duration of the project, as detailed by the City of Sammamish.
The scope of the work includes more than just traffic redirection. "Access and Services Maintained" as the Tightline article states, residents will still be able to reach all driveways and side streets when heading southbound. Exiting neighborhood vehicles must comply with the uphill directive, and yes, school buses, garbage pickups, and mail deliveries remain unaffected, as stated by the City of Sammamish.
Gas infrastructure isn't being overlooked, either. PSE is in the midst of a gas main replacement that sprawls across several roadways, likely extending another two months after the Louis Thompson project wraps. Work hours are set from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and while the company promises minimal delays, steel sheets covering roads and sidewalks might slow down the pace for both wheels and heel, as per the City of Sammamish.
The City of Sammamish has its eyes on stormwater pipes as well and will be inspecting and cleaning along 212th Avenue Southeast, moving from Southeast 24th Street to Southeast 13th Place before tackling Southeast 29th Street. This dance of disruption will last from May 12 to May 16, with some single-lane closures but nothing to write home about.
If you've noticed something unusual under your tires lately, it was likely the traffic counting tubes placed around Sammamish. These tubes were collecting data from April 28 to May 12 for the 2025 Citywide Traffic Counts. They won’t cause traffic delays, but drivers should watch for the equipment and give workers space. You can find more details on the City of Sammamish website.
