WSDOT’s I-90 restriping closure rescheduled to March 15-17/ City Briefs

Due to impending uncooperative weather conditions, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has moved its previously scheduled March 8-10 restriping work to March 15-17 on eastbound Interstate 90 near Mercer Island.

The restriping — which is part of WSDOT’s emergency repair work for the failing expansion joint on the I-90 East Channel Bridge — will require a full eastbound I-90 closure from Seattle to Mercer Island.

“WSDOT will restripe lanes to help ease congestion until the joint can be replaced,” the city noted in a social media post.

According to the city, WSDOT is scheduled to begin the closure at 11 p.m. March 15 through 6 a.m. March 17. I-90 eastbound will close on the Seattle side with no cars coming across to the Island as this will prevent the rerouting of off-Island traffic onto Mercer Island streets. There will be an on-Island detour for Islanders needing to travel east: the only access point onto I-90 eastbound will be at the East Mercer Way I-90 on-ramp. Westbound I-90 and related on/off-ramps will operate as usual.

“This new date remains conditional on the weather — restriping work requires several days of dry weather and temperatures above 40 degrees. WSDOT is continuing to monitor conditions and will alert the city if conditions require another change,” the city noted.

For project information, visit the city’s Let’s Talk page at: https://tinyurl.com/yck99xph

To receive real-time travel information via the WSDOT mobile app and the real-time travel map, visit https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/travel-information-phone and https://wsdot.com/Travel/Real-time/Map/.

SPRING RECYCLING EVENT

The city’s Spring Recycling Event will occur from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 30 at the Islander Middle School parking lot (7447 84th Ave. SE). At the event, people can safely dispose of old equipment, hardware, appliances and other household items. Participants will drive up and unload eligible items for recycling and disposal.

For information about what’s accepted at the event, visit: https://tinyurl.com/4tadd2v2. The city also appreciates donations in the form of grocery gift cards ($10, $25 or $50) or cash/ credit donations. All donations are tax deductible and help Islanders in need through the city’s food bank programs.

CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

The city is recruiting members for vacant or expiring boards and commissions through April 26.

The following positions are currently available and accepting applications:

Arts Council (two positions; terms expires May 31, 2028)

Design Commission (two positions; terms expires May 31, 2028)

Open Space Conservancy Trust (one position; term expires May 31, 2028)

Parks and Recreation Commission (one position; term expires May 31, 2028)

Planning Commission (two positions; terms expires May 31, 2028)

Utility Board (two positions; terms expires May 31, 2028)

To apply, visit: https://www.mercerisland.gov/bc.