Drivers in Bothell and Woodinville, Washington, brace for significant disruptions as the I-405 widening project enters a critical phase. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has announced a series of weekend closures through mid-March, starting this weekend (February 20-21). These closures will affect all lanes of westbound SR-522 at the I-405 interchange, with crews removing flyover ramps to widen the interchange and facilitate ongoing construction on the I-405/Brickyard to SR-527 Improvement Project.
Here's a breakdown of the closure schedule:
- February 20-21: All lanes of westbound SR 522 will close from 9 p.m. on Friday, February 20, to 6 a.m. on Saturday, February 21. This closure is to remove the first section of the ramp over the westbound lanes of SR 522.
- February 27-March 2: All lanes of eastbound and westbound SR 522 will close from 10 p.m. on Friday, February 27, to 4 a.m. on Monday, March 2. This closure is to remove the remaining portion of the ramp over SR 522.
- March 6-9 and March 13-16: All lanes of northbound and southbound I-405 in Bothell will close during these periods to remove portions of the ramps over mainline I-405. Specific times will be announced once the schedule is finalized.
According to WSDOT spokesperson Lauren Penning, these weekend closures are necessary to ensure the safety of the ramp removal process. Penning acknowledges the significant impact on commuters, stating that the department will explore opportunities to open the road sooner, but the complexity of the work requires ample time. During the closures, detour routes will be provided, but WSDOT warns that these routes cannot accommodate the usual traffic volume of SR-522 or I-405.
Traffic volume data shared with KOMO News reveals the scale of the disruption:
- Saturdays: I-405 (170,000 daily trips), SR 522 (east of 405) (87,000 daily trips)
- Sundays: I-405 (150,000 daily trips), SR 522 (east of 405) (72,000 daily trips)
These closures are expected to cause heavy traffic and long delays, prompting drivers to plan alternative routes and consider the impact on their travel plans.
