Heads up, North Bend and Snoqualmie commuters: major road closures are coming your way. The SR 18/Snoqualmie Parkway on-ramp to eastbound I-90 is shutting down for two nights starting this Wednesday, October 1. The closure will last from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly through the early morning of Friday, October 3. Local travelers should brace for a detour via westbound I-90, looping around at Preston Fall City (exit 22), according to the City of North Bend's recent announcement. It's noted that freight traffic is advised to avoid Issaquah-Hobart Road or Issaquah city streets, which are not equipped to handle semi-trucks.
During these times of inconvenience, the Washington State Department of Transportation's contractor crews will be working to install guardrail and landscaping as they labor towards completing the diversifying diamond interchange. This is part of the ongoing I-90/SR 18 Interchange Improvements project, which includes the widening of SR 18 to two lanes in each direction between I-90 and Deep Creek. These improvements are expected to wrap up later in the fall, which should ease the flow of traffic in the long term.
There's also a heads-up for the weekend travelers: the SR 18/Snoqualmie Parkway on-ramp to westbound I-90 will be closed continuously from 9 p.m. Friday, October 3, until 5 a.m. Monday, October 6. This time, the signed detour will take drivers eastbound on I-90 and around at Southeast North Bend Way (exit 27). Again, expect delays. This part of the project includes grinding and grading the ramp, placing it into its final configuration, and several other finishing touches, like permanent ramp metering and guardrail installation.
So if you're planning your commute or just trying to get out of town for the weekend, make sure to accommodate these changes into your schedule. Despite the temporary inconvenience, the end result of the I-90/SR 18 Interchange Improvements project promises a smoother and more efficient passage through this critical junction. Keep an eye on traffic updates and plan accordingly to avoid getting caught off-guard by the closures.
