Montlake Project construction progress video, current and upcoming closures

Washington State Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 09/28/2022 05:21 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:

Montlake Project construction progress: see what’s coming your way!

Check out our new YouTube video outlining the latest Montlake Project construction progress. Flying high above SR 520, the video takes us through current and upcoming construction milestones, including what you can expect at the west and east ends of the new Montlake lid and the improved SR 520/Montlake Boulevard interchange.

Pictured is a video still of the new Montlake Construction Progress video

Reminder: Lake Washington Boulevard on-ramp to eastbound SR 520 permanently closes tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 29

We will permanently close the Lake Washington Boulevard on-ramp to eastbound SR 520 at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29. When we opened this temporary on-ramp in 2019, we planned to keep it open for two years while we made improvements at the Montlake interchange. We adjusted our work to keep the Lake Washington Boulevard ramp open longer than planned. After the ramp closes on Thursday, drivers will need to use the on-ramp at Montlake Boulevard to access eastbound SR 520.

Pictured is a map of the WB SR 520 off-ramp closures in light red and the permanent closure in dark red

SR 520 closures this week

Westbound SR 520 off-ramps closed overnight on Sept. 29

Both westbound SR 520 off-ramps to Montlake Boulevard and Lake Washington Boulevard will be closed from 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29 until 5 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30. Crews will use a crane to reposition girders on the northeast corner of the future Montlake lid. This work is part of the SR 520 Montlake Project.

Pictured is a map of the WB SR 520 off-ramp closures in light red and the permanent closure in dark red

Both directions of SR 520 closed Sept. 30 – Oct. 3

SR 520 will be closed in both directions between I-5 in Seattle and 92nd Avenue Northeast on the Eastside from 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30, until 5 a.m. Monday, Oct. 3 as crews continue realigning the highway lanes. The SR 520 bicycle and pedestrian trail across Lake Washington will remain open.

Pictured is a full closure map with SR 520 closed in both directions in red and the bike/ped path open in green

Weekend closure of Mercer Street off-ramp from southbound I-5 (again)

Like last weekend, crews will close the southbound I-5 off-ramp to Mercer Street in Seattle beginning at 9 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 30. The off-ramp will reopen at 4 a.m. Monday, Oct. 3.

Crews will continue working on storm drainage installation and setting the foundations for retaining walls on the south side of the Mercer Street off-ramp. The I-5 Express Lanes will be open during this time; however, the ramp at Mercer Street will be closed. This work is part of the SR 520/I-5 Express Lanes Connection Project.

Pictured is a map showing the closure of the southbound I-5 off-ramp to Mercer Street in Seattle

Reminder: Foster Island Trail crossing under SR 520 closed Sept. 19 – 30

Crews are pouring concrete for the new eastbound SR 520 bridge deck over the Foster Island Trail. To keep you safe, the trail will be closed around the clock from Monday, Sept.19 until Friday, Sept. 30.

Construction Corner roundup

  • Sept. 19-30: Foster Island Trail crossing closed under SR 520
  • Sept. 29: Westbound SR 520 off-ramps closed overnight
  • Sept. 29: Lake Washington Boulevard eastbound on-ramp closes permanently
  • Sept. 30 – Oct. 3: SR 520 Bridge over Lake Washington closed in both directions
  • Sept. 30 – Oct. 3: Southbound I-5 off-ramp to Mercer Street closed
  • Ongoing: Montlake Boulevard eastbound on-ramp closed weeknights

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
  • Share the ROTW listserv with your friends and neighbors

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.