News Summary
Commuters on I-90 between Seattle and Bellevue are facing heavy traffic congestion due to ongoing construction and a recent accident involving an RV. Delays have extended travel times significantly, with backups stretching across major points. Construction is set to continue for weeks, and a flammable cargo restriction has been enacted. Motorists are advised to plan alternative routes to navigate the disruptions effectively.
Seattle — Heavy traffic congestion is being reported on eastbound I-90 between Seattle and Bellevue due to ongoing construction and a recent accident involving an RV. Commuters face significant delays, with travel times extending up to two hours in some cases.
Construction work is scheduled to take place from September 18 to October 5, which is reducing the highway to three lanes between Mercer Island and the Eastside. A temporary reduction in speed limits is also in effect during this period to ensure the safety of construction crews and drivers. The crew’s primary task is to repair the expansion joints on the East Channel Bridge.
As of 3:00 p.m., traffic has backed up significantly, from the Bellevue East Bridge to halfway across the I-90 Floating Bridge. Due to lane reductions, the resulting traffic jams have caused backups on Mercer Island as well, making commutes arduous for many. Specific closures impacting local traffic include the 80th Street HOV on-ramp and the East Mercer Way on-ramp. The only open entrance to I-90 eastbound during this period is the Island Crest Way on-ramp.
In addition to the ongoing construction, a crash on Monday involving an RV created further delays. This accident occurred in the Mount Baker Tunnel, where the RV caught fire, resulting in considerable smoke and additional traffic disruptions. Firefighters were able to control the fire by 12:50 p.m., but all eastbound lanes near Rainier Avenue South were closed for safety inspections. The RV was eventually towed away and lanes reopened at approximately 7:14 p.m., with no reported injuries during the incident.
Further complicating traffic conditions, a flammable cargo restriction has been enacted for both directions of the Mount Baker and Mercer Island Lid tunnels due to safety concerns following the RV incident. This ongoing restriction aims to mitigate risks associated with hazardous materials in this congested area.
The current construction project on I-90 is a part of a larger initiative focusing on expanding the aging infrastructure of the highway. The I-90 expansion joint replacement project specifically began on September 18 and is set to impact multiple ramps and lanes over the course of several weeks. 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 remain closed for about 16 days. In addition to these closures, another lane of traffic on I-90 eastbound leading to the East Channel Bridge is also closed, contributing to traffic woes.
Motorists are advised to plan their travels accordingly and consider alternatives routes wherever possible. Additional closures and lane reductions are expected throughout September on I-90 and I-405, further impacting traffic in several areas. It is crucial for drivers to stay informed about potential delays as they navigate through the affected zones.
With these ongoing construction efforts and incidents, commuters should prepare for extended travel times and plan for detours to avoid congestion. The Washington State Department of Transportation continues to monitor traffic and provide updates as necessary to help facilitate smoother travel across the region.
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HERE Resources
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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 BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore 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 the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
