News Summary

Seattle commuters are facing significant delays on eastbound I-90 due to ongoing construction work and recent accidents. Traffic congestion is stretching from Seattle to Bellevue, with travel times extending up to two hours. Construction work includes lane reductions and speed limit changes, while an accident involving an RV has further compounded delays. Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes and stay updated on traffic conditions as congestion is expected to persist.

Seattle Faces Severe Traffic Congestion on Eastbound I-90

Seattle traffic is facing significant delays on eastbound I-90 due to ongoing construction work and recent accidents. The heavy congestion stretches from Seattle to Bellevue, particularly impacting commuters heading toward the Eastside.

Current Situation and Traffic Flow

As of 3:00 p.m. today, traffic is backed up from the Bellevue East Bridge to halfway across the I-90 Floating Bridge. Commuters have reported travel times extending up to two hours for the route from West Seattle to Bellevue. The situation has become increasingly complicated due to lane reductions caused by the current expansion joint replacement project on I-90, which commenced on September 18 and is expected to continue until October 5.

Construction Details

During this construction phase, eastbound I-90 has been reduced to three lanes between Mercer Island and the Eastside. Speed limits have also been lowered in the construction zone to enhance safety for both workers and motorists. Traffic backups are particularly severe on Mercer Island, where specific closures include:

• The 80th Street HOV on-ramp
• The East Mercer Way on-ramp

Only the Island Crest Way I-90 eastbound on-ramp remains open during this construction period. Additionally, crews are engaged in repair work on the East Channel Bridge.

Recent Incidents Compounding Delays

Adding to the congestion, an accident involving an RV and another vehicle on Monday afternoon further disrupted traffic on I-90. The crash resulted in an RV catching fire near the Mount Baker Tunnel, generating large plumes of smoke and causing the eastbound lanes to close for several hours. Firefighters successfully managed to control the fire by 12:50 p.m., but traffic was significantly impacted until all lanes reopened at 7:14 p.m. No injuries were reported from this incident.

In response to the fire, WSDOT crews conducted inspections, leading to further lane closures and delays. As a precaution, a flammable cargo restriction remains in effect for both directions of the Mount Baker and Mercer Island Lid tunnels.

Impact and Future Plans

Motorists should expect delays and plan alternate routes throughout this extended construction period, which is set to conclude early next month on October 5. Additional lane reductions and closures are also anticipated on I-90 and I-405 through September, which may further impact traffic flow in the region.

State transportation officials recommend that drivers stay informed about traffic conditions and be prepared for unexpected delays while construction and repair work continues. Efforts are being made to expedite the construction process, but for the time being, the congestion is expected to persist.

Conclusion

The combination of ongoing construction, recent accidents, and lane reductions has led to significant traffic difficulties on I-90 between Seattle and Bellevue. Commuters are advised to remain vigilant and allow for additional travel time as conditions evolve throughout the ongoing work.

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HERE Resources

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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 CLEVELAND WRITER

CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HERECleveland.com, your premier source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with in-depth coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—backed by years of expert reporting and robust community input, including local press releases and business updates, while providing top reporting on high-profile events like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions, Cleveland International Film Festival, and holiday parades, alongside key organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Great Lakes Science Center, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare like Sherwin-Williams and University Hospitals, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREDayton.com, offering comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's vibrant landscape. HERE Cleveland HERE Dayton