Opening of eastbound ramp put back to mid-January

  • 2015-01-05
The Washington State Department of Transportation has released a statement announcing that due to unavoidable delays, the Bellevue Way eastbound I-90 HOV ramp is to remain closed for nearly another two weeks.

The ramp, which had been scheduled to reopen tomorrow, has taken longer to realign than anticipated, hence the delay of the reopening. Eastbound I-90 drivers wishing to exist onto Bellevue Way should not be in the express lanes while the ramp is closed. The Mainline can be used to exit at Bellevue Way or take Eastgate Way as the detour signage dictates.

The realignment is in preparation for the I-90 Two-Way Transit and HOV Operations project, which is to provide additional carpool lanes between Seattle and Bellevue in both directions of the Interstate.

Showers and chilly weather of forecast over the next couple of weeks in the Bellevue area and, as part of the work is weather dependent, heavy rains or cold temperatures could further delay the project. For now, however, motorists will be hopeful that the ramp will open at 5:00 am on Saturday, January 17, as is now the plan.

To keep the public informed on the progress of the development, and advise on reasons for the delay, state transportation officials might consider engaging a brochure printing service to provide materials to explain the situation further.