Westbound I-90 to close this weekend

This weekend, I-90 detours return again with an westbound closure, allowing the Washington State Department of Transportation to undertake light rail preparations inside the Mt Baker and Mercer Island tunnels.

Starting at 11 p.m. on Friday, March 24 to 5 a.m. Monday, March 27, WSDOT will funnel westbound traffic to Seattle to the center express lanes for construction purposes.

Several more weekend directional closures of I-90 are planned between now and mid-2017 while the State builds all-day bus and carpool lanes next to the regular lanes. This work will allow the center I-90 roadway to be dedicated to Sound Transit light rail construction, currently scheduled to begin in June 2017.

For other scheduled closures, see http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I90/TwoWayTransit/weekendclosures.htm.

Annual Spring recycling event is March 25

The city’s annual Spring recycling event will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 25 at the Mercer Island Boat Launch (3600 E. Mercer Way).

Residents can safely dispose of the old equipment, electronics, appliances and other household items that are cluttering their basement or garage. Paper shredding is also available.

This year, the event will once again offer discounted rain barrels (of about 50 gallons) for use in garden watering.

For more, call 206-275-7608.

City proclaims Immigration Day of Action

At its regular Monday meeting this week, the Mercer Island City Council joined with the U.S. Conference of Mayors in proclaiming a National Immigration Day of Action for Tuesday, March 21.

Mayor Bruce Bassett used the occasion to declare the city’s solidarity with the immigrant community, and assert its commitment to diversity, inclusiveness and equality, in keeping with the council’s principles and values.

In November last year, the council reaffirmed its role in bringing people together and not dividing them, as part of a Proclamation reaffirming civility, equality, diversity and sustainability on Mercer Island.