Seattle-bound drivers are slicing their commute times during Interstate 90 construction by leaving early and staying late.
Wednesday’s peak commute time from Issaquah to Seattle was about 37 minutes, down from Monday’s peak of 57 minutes.
Wednesday was the third morning commute of the 19 day I-90 express lane closures between Mercer Island and Seattle.
Washington State Department of Transport contractor crews have closed the express lanes to replace cracking expansion joints that pose a safety risk.
“The commute is starting at 6:45 a.m. and ending at 10 a.m. Drivers are spreading themselves out and that is shortening travel times for everyone,” said Russ East, WSDOT Assistant Regional Administrator.
Wednesday traffic
The westbound morning traffic volumes picked up at 6:50 a.m. with the peak commute from 7:25 a.m. to 8 a.m.
An Issaquah to Seattle driver spent about 37 minutes in the car. Typical travel times are about 25 minutes.
Contractor crews hammered away eight inches of concrete on either side of the two, 40-ton expansion joints that span the entire width of the express lanes.
If all goes as planned, workers will begin cutting the joints into pieces and hauling them off tonight, Wednesday.
Crews are on track to install the new expansion joint as early as this weekend.
Click here for photos of the construction.
I-5 Seattle work this weekend
WSDOT contractor crews continue to smooth and repair broken and cracked concrete panels on I-5 this weekend.
Friday, May 8 through Monday, May 11, crews will replace 46 concrete panels in the I-5 express lanes.
The express lanes will be closed to all drivers all weekend.
What should drivers do?
• Plan for 15- to 30-minute delays on I-90.
• Plan for north and southbound delays on I-5 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Check the Web for the latest information at www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2009/today
• Check the Seattle traffic map to pinpoint and avoid congestion www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle
• Use the overhead freeway signs and the 511 driver information line to get up-to-the minute information on the road.
• Call our I-90 information hotline at 206.440.4444. The hotline is staffed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Leave a message and your call will be returned.
