Watch bridge rebuild and traffic with online camera
April 20, 2009
NEW — 6 a.m. April 20, 2009
The King County Road Services Division has a new traffic camera in the May Valley area to help people keep tabs on construction of the new Bandaret Bridge and related traffic disruptions.
The existing Bandaret Bridge spans upper Issaquah Creek on Southeast May Valley Road between 230th Avenue Southeast and 231st Place Southeast. Construction is being done in stages to minimize the impact to the traffic by avoiding a full closure of the bridge.
During construction, the two lanes of two-way traffic at the bridge have been routed to a single lane and controlled by temporary traffic signals and/or flaggers. These restrictions are in place 24/7 through November.
The first of 10 pilings is lowered into its hole for the new Bandaret Bridge over Issaquah Creek on Southeast May Valley Road. The 63-foot long ‘cage’ of rebar, weighing 17,000 pounds, was lowered into an 80-foot deep hole, with the cement pour to follow. Traffic is alternately one lane until November, when the $5.5 million bridge is finished. — By Greg Farrar
Officials want your input on transportation plans
April 19, 2009
NEW — 6 a.m. April 19, 2009
Bring your comments about city transportation projects to the May 4 City Council meeting.
Officials are updating the Transportation Improvement Program – a $36.3 million plan to overhaul and update city bridges, roadways and intersections over the next decade.
Residents will have an opportunity to offer their input about the plan May 4. The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, 135 E. Sunset Way.
Wheelchair ramp installation to close Eastgate roadway
April 18, 2009
NEW — 6 a.m. April 18, 2009
The King County Road Services Division is continuing work this weekend to install wheelchair ramps on sidewalks at the intersection of 150th Avenue Southeast and Newport Way in the Eastgate area south of Interstate 90.
On Monday, the work will move to the northeast and southeast corners of the intersection, requiring the closure of the curb lanes at those two corners. The project should be completed by May 1.
Pay tribute to troops Saturday night at Mostly Americana Concert
April 17, 2009
NEW — 7 p.m. April 17, 2009
Best entertainment bet for this weekend is the fourth annual Mostly Americana Concert, featuring choirs from Issaquah schools paying special tribute to the troops with the music of America and favorite American desserts.
The show is at 7 p.m. in the Pacific Cascade Freshman Campus gymnasium, 24635 S.E. Issaquah-Fall City Road.
Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and are on sale at Front Street Market. Veterans get in free.
Students sing at last year's Mostly Americana Concert.
DOT urges commuters to prepare for I-90 closures
April 17, 2009
NEW — 6 a.m. April 17, 2009
Transportation officials want Eastside and Seattle commuters to plan ahead for the 19-day closure of the express lanes on the Interstate 90 floating bridge.
The lanes will be closed from May 4-23 while crews replace two cracked expansion joints.
Commuters can expect delays up to 40 minutes on stretches of I-90 east of Mercer Island. During the closure, traffic will be restricted to the main roadway on westbound I-90.
Two steel expansion joints — some of the largest in the world — allow the bridge to bend with traffic, weather and the water level in Lake Washington. A pair of new joints weighing 40 tons each will be installed next month.
Washington State Department of Transportation guides and news media members walk on the Interstate 90 floating bridge express lanes to see the worn expansion joints that will be replaced during bridge closures in May. — By Greg Farrar
Demolition begins at Issaquah High School
April 16, 2009
NEW — 5 p.m. April 16, 2009
Demolition crews from Cornerstone General Contractors Inc. began work at Issaquah High School yesterday.
Employees were on hand to begin demolition of buildings J and M, which were completely taken down today. Demolition work on the inside of the gym has started, but major work to tear down that building won’t begin until Monday after students and employees hold a ceremony to mark the occasion.
Demolition of Issaquah High School began this morning on the south side of the school where weight rooms and auxiliary gyms were. — Photo by Royce Nourigat/Issaquah School District
Fines start today for speeders caught on camera
April 16, 2009
NEW — 8 a.m. April 16, 2009
Drivers could be fined $124 for speeding near four schools — even if no police officers are present. Officers began to issue citations today for speeders caught by traffic cameras that overlook a busy Second Avenue school zone.
Issaquah Police Department Patrol Cmdr. Scott Behrbaum said the cameras proved to be an effective deterrent to speeders during a test period. He said traffic began to slow down after the cameras were activated.
Activists brew anti-tax sentiment at ‘tea party’
April 15, 2009
NEW — 6 p.m. April 15, 2009
When local Tax Day Tea Party organizer Tom Price arrived at the corner of Sunset Way and Front Street just after noon today, he was alone. Then, he looked down Sunset: Less than 500 feet away, hundreds of protestors were gathered on the steps of City Hall.
Price and more than 200 others were part of a groundswell of frustration with government bailouts, federal spending and the policies of Congress and the Obama administration. Demonstrators in Issaquah and across the nation used the government deadline for filing income tax returns for an event modeled on the Boston Tea Party.
See a slideshow of photos here.
Issaquah Tax Day Tea Party / April 15, 2009
April 15, 2009
Tiger’s second birthday at Cougar Mountain Zoo / April 11, 2009
April 14, 2009
