WSDOT is reaching out to drivers in preparation for a weekend full of sporting events and a major closure on southbound I-405 in Renton and Tukwila.
“Drivers can stay engaged and know before they go,” said Brian Dobbins, WSDOT Design and Construction Traffic Engineer. “We need more than 30 percent of the traffic to use alternate routes this weekend or drivers could experience hour-long delays or longer on southbound I-405 and northbound SR 167.”
All southbound drivers will be funneled into two lanes between SR 167 and SR 181 (West Valley Highway) as contractor crews close the carpool lane to finish the bridge over Oaksdale Avenue Southwest in Renton. The work starts at 9 p.m. on Friday and continues until 5 a.m. Monday. Crews will be pouring concrete, which takes 42 hours to cure, in addition to paving, striping and cleanup work.
“Drivers passing the closure area may not see an active work zone, but that is because crews have already placed the concrete and are waiting for it to set,” said Stacy Trussler, I-405 deputy project director.
Drivers heading into Seattle for the Mariners and Sounders games this weekend, should expect heavy delays and backups into and out of Renton.
The work is part of the I-405/I-5 to SR 169 Stage 1 – Widening Project. WSDOT and contractor crews are building a new lane in each direction on I-405 between I-5 and SR 167 and a new lane on southbound SR 167 between I-405 and SW 41st Street.
As with all construction closures, WSDOT advises drivers to slow down, use caution, and pay close attention to signage in and around the construction zone.
What can drivers do?
• Plan for delays on southbound I-405 and northbound SR 167 through Renton
• Check the Web for the latest information before you leave at www.wsdot.wa.gov/construction/2009.
• Check the Seattle traffic map to pinpoint and avoid congestion www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle.
• Add WSDOT to their personal accounts at: http://twitter.com/wsdot/. Go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/inform/twitter for more details.
• Call 511 – This driver information phone line provides current traffic, incident and closure information. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388. Out-of-state callers can access the information at call 1-800-695-ROAD (7623).
On the road:
• Use the overhead freeway signs and the 511 driver information line to get-up-to-the minute information on the road.
• Check highway advisory radio – WSDOT advises drivers to program 530AM and 1610AM on your radio.
