News Summary
Seattle is currently facing significant traffic delays on Eastbound I-90 due to ongoing construction projects and a recent multi-vehicle incident involving a fire. The traffic congestion extends between downtown Seattle and Bellevue, with travel times impacted. Construction on the East Mercer Way on-ramp has reduced the available lanes and added to the delays. Commuters should expect extended travel times and consider alternate routes to navigate the disruptions effectively.
Seattle Traffic Alert: Major Congestion on Eastbound I-90 Due to Construction and Recent Incidents
Seattle residents and commuters are experiencing significant delays on Eastbound Interstate 90 (I-90), primarily due to ongoing construction projects and a recent multi-vehicle incident involving a fire. The combined effects have resulted in extensive traffic congestion between downtown Seattle and Bellevue, impacting travel times and causing widespread backups.
Construction Activities and Lane Reductions
Starting on September 18, construction work has commenced on the East Mercer Way on-ramp as part of a broader I-90 expansion joint replacement project. The construction is scheduled to run until October 5, with several restrictions remaining in place throughout this period. During this time, three lanes of eastbound I-90 are available between Mercer Island and the Eastside, down from the usual four lanes. To ensure safety, reduced speed limits are enforced across the construction zone.
Additional closures include the 80th Street HOV on-ramp, which will be closed for 16 days, and the East Mercer Way on-ramp, expected to remain closed for 6 to 8 days. The Island Crest Way on-ramp remains the sole open entrance for eastbound drivers accessing I-90 in the area. The ongoing lane and ramp closures aim to facilitate the repair of expansion joints on the East Channel Bridge, a critical structure on this stretch of highway.
Traffic Conditions and Commuter Impact
As of 3:00 p.m., traffic backups extended from the Bellevue East Bridge to approximately halfway across the I-90 Floating Bridge. Commuters reported travel delays of up to two hours traveling from West Seattle to Bellevue, highlighting the impact of the combined construction and typical congestion during peak hours.
Travel times have remained elongated throughout the day, and lane reductions are expected to persist until 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 5. These ongoing restrictions, coupled with planned additional lane reductions on other routes such as I-405, are expected to prolong delays and impact regional traffic flow in the coming weeks.
Recent Traffic Incident and Clearing Measures
Particularly disruptive was a crash involving an RV and another vehicle that occurred Monday afternoon near the Mount Baker Tunnel. The incident resulted in a fire that produced large plumes of smoke and caused the closure of eastbound I-90 lanes near Rainier Avenue South. Emergency responders worked swiftly to control the fire, which was extinguished by 12:50 p.m. No injuries were reported from the crash or subsequent fire.
Following the response, all lanes of eastbound I-90 in the Mount Baker Tunnel were closed for inspection and clearance, with the RV towed away around 1:45 p.m. The lanes were reopened at 7:14 p.m., restoring capacity, but delays persisted due to the incident and ongoing construction activities.
Safety Precautions and Restrictions
Because of the fire, flammable cargo restrictions remain in effect for both directions through the Mount Baker and Mercer Island Lid tunnels. These restrictions aim to enhance safety during ongoing repair and construction work, as well as to prevent future incidents of similar magnitude.
Regional Traffic Planning and Recommendations
Travelers are advised to plan for extended travel times, particularly during peak hours, and to consider alternate routes where possible. WSDOT continues to monitor traffic conditions and coordinate with construction crews to minimize disruptions. Drivers should stay informed about lane closure updates, ramp closures, and potential detours through official traffic advisories.
Overall, the combined effects of construction activities, recent accidents, and ongoing safety restrictions are expected to influence traffic patterns across Seattle and neighboring areas until all planned work is completed and additional restrictions are lifted.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Labor Strike Disrupts Construction Projects in Spokane Region
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
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RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like 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 drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
