Major traffic impacts are coming Mercer Island’s way.
For the last couple of months, the city’s staff has been working closely with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in preparation for its upcoming eastbound Interstate-90 expansion joint replacement project.
Beginning on the evening of Sept. 18, WSDOT will close the East Mercer Way on-ramp to I-90 eastbound for six to eight days and shutter the HOV on-ramp at 80th Avenue Southeast to I-90 eastbound for 16 days to complete essential roadway repairs and replace the failing joints on the East Channel Bridge, according to the city. WSDOT will also close one lane of traffic on I-90 eastbound leading to the East Channel Bridge.
The project is expected to be completed on Oct. 5.
At the Mercer Island City Council meeting on Sept. 2, City Manager Jessi Bon said the city has been heavy messaging residents about the project, “which is really going to make it difficult for the Island.”
WSDOT crews will be working 24 hours a day on this complex project, which includes removing and replacing modular expansion joints, applying pavement markings, performing temporary erosion, water pollution and traffic control and other necessary work.
“We have plans for Washington State Patrol to be out helping our police department direct traffic. Lots going on behind the scenes,” Bon said. “You’re going to see us hitting this weekly with the community, inviting people to reconsider their plans to travel east during that 16-day window.”
The Island Crest Way I-90 eastbound on-ramp will be the lone entrance open during the project. According to the city, drivers will be allowed to use the on-ramp’s shoulder starting on Sept. 19 as a second lane can then form to advance traffic flow.
On the detour front, crews will place signs around the Island to direct drivers to designated routes, the city said.
To help people prepare for increased traffic, the city offers tips on its website, which include considering minimizing trips, postponing activities, working remotely, carpooling or using public transit and more.
For more information, including detour routes, visit: https://tinyurl.com/4us7wpmu
WATER MAIN BREAK REPAIRED
The last of three water main breaks that transpired on Aug. 5 was recently repaired and crews have restored regular water service to the five impacted homes.
For those five residences, restoration occurred during the first week of September after they were utilizing temporary water service lines since the break.
“I want to give a huge thank you to all of them for their patience,” Bon said at the Sept. 2 council meeting. “We even have a neighbor-to-neighbor connection where we were able to put in temporary service from one home to another. So just a lot of kindness, and it’s great to be a Mercer Islander and see everyone working together when something like this happens.”
After replacing the 220 feet of water main along East Mercer Way near Clarke Beach Park, crews completed the job with pressure testing, flushing and water quality testing. The massive rupture was highly disruptive, said Bon, noting that crews reopened one lane of East Mercer Way the day before schools went back into session.
Bon said she thought the lane reopening “really helped the school district with their bus routes and the community members that live down there get around.”
A full reopening of that stretch of road should occur by the end of October, after the city’s engineering staff assesses the roadway and completes permanent pavement repairs.
