Redmond Traffic: 520 Ramp Closed For 4 Months, Overlake Work Begins

Sound Transit crews on Friday evening closed Redmond Way's westbound on-ramp to State Route 520, kicking off a four-month project to raise the ramp over the future light rail line, which is slated to begin trips as part of the Downtown Redmond Link Extension in 2024.

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, the location of the work does not allow for a temporary ramp, as last summer's project did, so drivers will need to plan to take alternate routes until the project is completed later in the summer.

"This on-ramp closure is a big deal and will cause traffic on both the highways and city streets to move differently," WSDOT officials wrote. "Expect to see some backups and longer wait times and be sure to budget more time to get to your destination."

Detours will be in place to guide drivers onto State Route 520.

Overlake Village evening closures

Another, shorter project began Sunday night in the Overlake Village area, and travelers should expect evening lane and ramp closures in the area through early May. During that time, contractors will realign 148th Avenue Northeast, including paving and restriping work, which will see northbound and southbound lanes shift to one side to give crews room to work on a new tunnel.

Slated for completion next year, the new tunnel is designed to reduce congestion on the SR 520 on-ramp, and drivers another way to reach the Overlake area.

Here's what to expect through early May:

• From 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Sunday, April 17, to Thursday, April 21 crews will close the right lane on southbound 148th Avenue Northeast.
• From 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Monday, April 18, Tuesday, April 19 and Thursday, April 21 crews will close the right lane on northbound 148th Avenue Northeast.
• From 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Monday, April 18 and Tuesday, April 19 crews will close the eastbound SR 520 on-ramp from northbound 148th Avenue Northeast.
• From 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Monday, April 18 and Tuesday, April 19 crews will close the eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to northbound 148th Avenue Northeast.
• From 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20 crews will close the eastbound SR 520 off-ramp to southbound 148th Avenue Northeast.

Northeast 51st Street overnight closure

Both SR 520 ramps at Northeast 51st Street will close at 9 p.m. Thursday to allow for Sound Transit crews to prepare for light rail extension work in the area, with plans to reopen both ramps by 6 a.m. Friday.