Interstate 90 Construction Work Begins Next Week

SNOQUALMIE PASS, WA — Travelers headed over Snoqualmie Pass are likely to encounter delays in both directions starting next week as state transportation crews begin a series of major projects planned between North Bend and Ellensburg.

In a news release Thursday, the Washington State Department of Transportation said more than a dozen bridge decks required repairs, along with widening lanes in some areas and replacing several miles of aging concrete panels. The work will impact travel through the summer and fall, and some will continue through next year and beyond.

"This is the first summer in several years where we will have multiple work zones on our state’s busiest east-west highway between North Bend and Ellensburg," said Brian White, WSDOT's assistant region administrator. "However, this is just the start of several more summers of major construction on I-90."

WSDOT said drivers should expect some daytime and nighttime lane closures in both directions as crews begin repairs on six bridge decks between North Bend and the pass. In the fall, crews will shift eastbound traffic in the Easton area onto a two-lane detour route, which will remain in place for several years as work continues to widen the interstate.

Through late fall, crews will also be deployed in several locations over 75 miles to replace guardrails in several locations between North Bend and Ellensburg. More closures are planned next year in the Cle Elum area to allow for concrete panel repairs spanning several miles, which WSDOT said will mostly take place at night.

Here are a few ways drivers can find information before hitting the road:

• Visit WSDOT's online open house for maps of the project areas.
• Check the latest Traffic Alerts.
• Visit the Central and Eastern Washington Travel Planner.
• Follow WSDOT on Twitter @snoqualmiepass.
• Subscribe to Email updates.