Expect more overnight closures along Interstate 90
January 11, 2010
By Warren Kagarise
NEW — 6:30 a.m. Jan. 11, 2010
State Department of Transportation officials urged drivers to plan ahead for additional overnight closures on Interstate 90. The closures started last week; another round starts tonight.
DOT crews will install electronic speed limit and lane-status signs above each lane on I-90 and state Route 520.
Expect the following closures nightly from 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. through Friday: Workers will close the westbound I-90 off-ramp to Fourth Avenue, and the right or left lane of eastbound I-90 at Interstate 5.
The next closures start Friday. Workers will close the right lane of the westbound I-90 off-ramp to northbound I-5 nightly from 11 p.m. – 5 a.m. and the westbound I-90 off-ramp to Fourth Avenue nightly from 9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
Crews will also close right or left lane of eastbound I-90 at I-5 nightly from 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Jan. 18-22.
During the closures, state crews will drill shafts and place concrete for sign foundations.
Officials plan to install 25 signs along I-90 between I-5 and 150th Avenue Southeast in Eastgate. The new signs will post variable speed limits to warn drivers of backups ahead and smooth traffic as motorists approach a crash or another incident blocking a lane. The overhead signs also can be used to quickly close entire lanes and provide warning information to drivers before they reach slower traffic.
Officials said the signs should reduce congestion-related collisions and smooth traffic, cutting backups and stop-and-go traffic. Plans call for the signs to be constructed next month, with installation set for spring. Officials plan to activate the SR 520 signs in August, and the I-90 signs in March 2011.
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