I-90 bridge will be closed overnight this weekend
May 9, 2009
By Warren Kagarise
NEW — 8 a.m., May 9, 2009
Drivers crossing the Interstate 90 floating bridge over the weekend will be restricted to a single westbound lane Saturday and Sunday nights. Crews will shut down the two left lanes of the westbound span in order to park the flatbed trucks carrying new expansion joints for the express lanes.
Crews will close the two left lanes of the westbound floating bridge from 10 p.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Sunday and again from 9 p.m. Sunday to 4 a.m. Monday.
State Department of Transportation officials recommend for drivers to plan for delays or use the State Route 520 floating bridge to cross Lake Washington.
Crews are replacing expansion joints on the Interstate 90 floating bridge express lanes this month. Contributed
The express lanes will be closed until May 23 while crews install new joints weighing 40 tons each. During the weekend closures, crews will park the trucks on the westbound span and then use a crane parked in the express lanes to lower the joints into place.
Existing joints began to crack and deteriorate soon after the bridge opened in 1989. Although workers have conducted patchwork repairs for years, DOT officials said the joints must be replaced before they weaken and break.
The project is paid for with $8.3 million in federal bridge funds, which are supported by gas tax revenue.
Crews will shut down the westbound I-90 bridge from July 5-28 as they replace aging joints.
Comments
Got something to say?
Before you comment, please note:
- These comments are moderated.
- Comments should be relevant to the topic at hand and contribute to its discussion.
- Personal attacks and/or excessive profanity will not be tolerated and such comments will not be approved.
- This is not your personal chat room or forum, so please stay on topic.
