Montlake area on-ramps to eastbound SR 520 closed this weekend, upcoming closures and lane reductions

Washington State Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 08/11/2022 02:44 PM PDT
There is a horizontal green band that reads Rest of the West News. Above it is the letters W S D O T. An oval on the right reads state route 520.

In this update:

Plan ahead, eastbound drivers: No access to eastbound SR 520 from Montlake this weekend

Both the Montlake Boulevard and Lake Washington Boulevard on-ramps to eastbound SR 520 will be closed from 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12 to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15. Crews will realign the ramps and prepare to shift the highway lanes as they continue building a future Montlake lid. 

SR 520 Montlake interchange eastbound on-ramp closure map

There will be no access to eastbound SR 520 from the Montlake neighborhood this weekend.

SR 520 fully closed Aug. 26-29

The SR 520 bridge over Lake Washington will be fully closed in both directions between I-5 and the Eastside from 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26 to 5 a.m. Monday, Aug. 29. Crews will install girders for the future Montlake lid and realign the highway’s lanes during this closure.

I-5 express lanes reducing from four lanes to three until February 2023

Crews will close the I-5 express lanes at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12 to create a work zone for the SR 520/I-5 Express Lanes Connection Project. The I-5 express lanes will reopen at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, but lanes will be reduced from four to three lanes until February 2023.

This extended lane closure is needed to construct retaining walls, a ramp support pier and utilities within the express lane corridor. When completed in 2024, the project will create a dedicated bus and carpool lane alongside the four I-5 express lanes, along with reversible transit and HOV ramps at the SR 520/I-5 interchange and the I-5/Mercer Street interchange.

Public comment period on Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan for Portage Bay area extended through Aug. 26

Thank you to everyone who participated in our virtual public meeting last Thursday, Aug. 4, to learn more about the Portage Bay Bridge and Roanoke Lid Project’s draft Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan. In case you missed it, the plan is a collaborative effort between WSDOT and the city of Seattle that identifies planned and potential traffic management measures on local streets related to construction of this project.

As shared during the meeting, the draft plan is now available online and open for public comment. You can provide your feedback in three ways:

Your input is an important piece of this process and will help inform the final NTMP report published later this year.

Reminder: Upcoming public meetings

Mark your calendars this month for two upcoming public meetings we’re hosting. You’ll hear updates on each project, learn about what’s coming next and have a chance for a Q&A with project teams.

Montlake Project online construction meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 12:30 p.m.
Register: https://bit.ly/SR520_Aug17_MonthlyMeeting

SR 520/I-5 Express Lanes Connection Project online construction meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 12:30 p.m.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_I-s9fqEWStSshZgPt8TOqg

Construction Corner roundup

Visit the SR 520 Construction Corner to stay informed on construction activities near you. Here is a reminder of current and upcoming closures:

  • July 8 – Sept. 1: Westbound SR 520 off-ramp to East Roanoke Street closed for 55 days
  • Aug. 12-15: Montlake Boulevard and Lake Washington Boulevard eastbound on-ramps closed
  • Aug. 26-29: SR 520 fully closed between I-5 and the Eastside
  • Ongoing: Montlake Boulevard eastbound on-ramp closed on weeknights

Please note: Construction schedules are dynamic and subject to change. Please check the SR 520 Construction Corner for the most up-to-date information about these work activities and closures.

How to reach us and stay informed about SR 520 construction:

  • Call or text our project-specific construction hotlines with pressing questions or concerns related to the:
    • Montlake Project: 206-775-8885
    • SR 520/I-5 Connection Project: 206-316-2559 
  • Call the SR 520 Program information line (206-770-3554, M-F 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.) with general SR 520 inquiries.
  • Email SR 520 staff with your questions about the project or construction activities.
  • Visit the SR 520 Construction Corner for the most up-to-date information on closures and construction impacts.
  • Visit the SR 520 Program website to find general information about the project.
  • Follow us on Twitter @wsdot_520 to get key news and updates about the SR 520 program.
  • View current Montlake Project construction photos, taken continuously day and night, by mounted construction cameras

Thank you for signing up for the SR 520 Rest of the West news email updates. WSDOT will keep the community informed of current and planned construction activities through these updates and the other tools listed above.