News Summary
Traffic congestion is impacting eastbound I-90 between Seattle and Bellevue due to construction and accidents. Lane reductions and lower speed limits are in effect, causing significant delays for commuters. The ongoing joint repairs on the East Channel Bridge and fire incidents have complicated travel conditions, prompting WSDOT to advise motorist caution and alternative route planning. Current restrictions on important on-ramps further exacerbate the situation. Travelers are encouraged to stay updated on traffic conditions through WSDOT announcements.
Seattle – Significant traffic congestion is currently affecting eastbound I-90 between Seattle and Bellevue due to ongoing construction and recent accidents. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is advising commuters to expect delays as lane reductions and lower speed limits are in effect until the construction concludes on October 5.
As of 3:00 p.m., traffic was backed up from the Bellevue East Bridge to halfway across the I-90 Floating Bridge, with many commuters reporting travel times of up to two hours from West Seattle to Bellevue. A flammable cargo restriction remains in place for both directions of the Mount Baker and Mercer Island Lid tunnels due to safety concerns following an earlier incident.
The construction project, which began on September 18, focuses on joint repairs on the East Channel Bridge, and it has reduced I-90 to three lanes between Mercer Island and the Eastside. Currently, important on-ramps are also closed, including the 80th Street HOV on-ramp and the East Mercer Way on-ramp, further complicating traffic flow. Only the Island Crest Way I-90 eastbound on-ramp remains open during the construction period.
Additional delays were caused earlier this week when an RV caught fire on I-90, necessitating the closure of eastbound lanes near Rainier Avenue South. This accident occurred Monday afternoon and involved another vehicle, leading to large smoke plumes that prompted WSDOT crews to conduct thorough inspections. The fire was controlled by 12:50 p.m., and all lanes were reopened by 7:14 p.m., with no injuries reported.
The construction on the East Mercer Way on-ramp is expected to conclude by this Friday. However, lane and speed limit reductions will remain in place until 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 5, as ongoing work is necessary to ensure both the safety of commuters and the integrity of the roadway.
Motorists are urged to plan alternative routes or allow extra time for their travel as additional closures and lane reductions are also scheduled on I-90 and I-405 throughout September. WSDOT recommends that drivers stay informed of current traffic conditions and construction updates to minimize disruptions.
This extensive roadwork effort aims to maintain the safety and functionality of vital transportation corridors in the region, particularly as traffic volumes remain high during peak commute hours. As always, public safety strategies are a priority, and travelers are asked to proceed with caution in construction zones.
Background details indicate that the I-90 expansion joint replacement project is a significant undertaking aimed at enhancing road safety and reliability. With heavy traffic loads, especially between Seattle and Bellevue, it is imperative for maintenance work like this to occur to prevent further issues down the line.
WSDOT will continue to assess traffic conditions and adjust work schedules as necessary to minimize impact on commuters while ensuring project completion as efficiently as possible.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Spokane Construction Projects Disrupted by Labor Strike
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 LOS ANGELES WRITER
LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of 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 from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana
