News Summary
Eastbound traffic on I-90 is facing significant delays between Seattle and Bellevue due to ongoing construction on the East Channel Bridge and recent accidents. The Washington State Department of Transportation has reported reduced lanes and lower speed limits in the area, with substantial backups experienced on Mercer Island. Lane closures and ramp restrictions are expected to stay in effect until early October. Commuters should expect travel times of up to two hours and are advised to plan ahead and consider alternate routes during this period.
Seattle – Eastbound traffic on I-90 is experiencing major delays as a result of ongoing construction and recent accidents. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has reported significant congestion between Seattle and Bellevue, primarily due to repairs being made on the East Channel Bridge. These construction efforts, which began on September 18, are expected to last until October 5.
Details on Construction and Traffic Conditions
Currently, traffic on eastbound I-90 is reduced to three lanes between Mercer Island and Eastside, with lower speed limits enforced during the construction period. This has led to substantial traffic backups, particularly on Mercer Island, where lane reductions have exacerbated delays. As of 3:00 p.m. today, traffic has been reported backing up from the Bellevue East Bridge to halfway across the I-90 Floating Bridge, resulting in some commuters facing travel times of up to two hours from West Seattle to Bellevue.
Specific Lane Closures and Delays
Several ramp closures are currently in effect due to the construction. The 80th Street HOV on-ramp and the East Mercer Way on-ramp to eastbound I-90 are both closed. Traffic restrictions will remain in place until 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 5. Additionally, the construction project is expected to conclude by this Friday, providing some relief to impacted commuters.
Impact of Recent Incidents
Adding to the congestion, all eastbound lanes of I-90 in Seattle’s Mount Baker Tunnel were shut down on Monday afternoon following a crash involving an RV that caught fire. Firefighters responded quickly, controlling the fire by 12:50 p.m. This incident caused road closures near Rainier Avenue South and other ramps, prompting WSDOT crews to conduct inspections before towing the RV away around 1:45 p.m. All lanes were reopened by 7:14 p.m. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries linked to this incident.
Flammable Cargo Restrictions and Future Traffic Implications
As a preventative measure, a flammable cargo restriction remains in place for both directions of the Mount Baker and Mercer Island Lid tunnels, which may contribute to further delays for drivers. The increased traffic complications on Mercer Island are largely attributed to the concurrent I-90 expansion joint replacement project that started on September 18.
Further Traffic Management Measures
During this continuing project, the East Mercer Way on-ramp to I-90 eastbound will be closed for approximately 6 to 8 days, while the HOV on-ramp at 80th Avenue Southeast will see closures lasting 16 days. One lane of traffic on I-90 eastbound leading to the East Channel Bridge is also currently closed. As a result, the Island Crest Way I-90 eastbound on-ramp remains the only open entrance to the interstate during this timeframe.
Looking Ahead
WSDOT has indicated that additional closures and lane reductions are planned on I-90 and I-405 throughout September, which will continue to impact traffic in the area. Drivers are advised to plan their routes accordingly, allowing for extra travel time and considering alternate pathways where possible.
As construction progresses, officials will continue to provide updates to help commuters navigate these delays and closures effectively.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Labor Strike Disrupts Construction Projects in Spokane
Additional Resources
- Fox 13 Seattle: Eastbound I-90 Traffic Update
- Seattle Times: I-405 and I-90 Closures
- KIRO 7: WSDOT Reschedules 5-Day Closure
- KOMO News: I-90 Mount Baker Tunnel Incident
- My Northwest: I-90 Mercer Island Chokepoints
- Wikipedia: Interstate 90
- Google Search: Traffic Updates Seattle
- Google Scholar: Traffic Management Seattle
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic
- Google News: Seattle Traffic News
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
