Reporter staff

After nearly three months of work on the westbound lanes of I-90, changes to the highway across Mercer Island are becoming visible.

During the past month, crews from Kuney Construction have begun widening the freeway to make room for the new HOV lanes approaching I-90. Construction workers have demolished some of the concrete barriers on the north side of the highway, removed vegetation in the median and built new retaining walls. To make way for the new carpool lane, crews have sawcut the pavement along the north side of westbound I-90 in between the Mercer Ways. While the freeway is getting a new right lane, the new HOV lane will be on the left side. The roadway will be re-striped when the widening is complete.

Using a large drill, crews have also dug shafts on I-90 near 80th Avenue S.E. and will soon pour the concrete for the new columns that will hold the carpool off-ramp there.

This week, Islanders can expect night time lane closures to continue. Tonight, construction workers will close the two left lanes of westbound I-90 from East to West Mercer Way to pour concrete. One lane will close at 9 p.m. and the second lane will close at 11 p.m. Last night, crews were scheduled to set up the temporary concrete barrier to isolate the needed work space.

Drivers heading toward Seattle from Mercer Island now pass the new retaining wall along the West Mercer Way on-ramp just before the floating bridge.

Concrete is also being poured along the south side of the Bellevue Way HOV ramp for a new retaining wall. Storm sewer systems and catch basins along this wall will be constructed soon as well.

Adding the westbound HOV lanes will cost $22.5 million, according to the state department of transportation. Those funds come from the 2003 and 2005 gas taxes. The entire re-striping of I-90 from Bellevue to Seattle will cost $147.8 million.

For construction updates go to

www.wsdot.wa.gov/Northwest/King/Construction/#I90Transit