This weekend: Montlake Boulevard, Lake Washington Boulevard and associated SR 520 ramps closed; “Ramps to Nowhere” update

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 Boulevard, Lake Washington Boulevard and associated SR 520 ramps closed June 21-24

Heads up! We have a significant closure in Montlake this weekend. Here’s a rundown of what’s closed:

  • Montlake Boulevard between East Hamlin Street and East Louisa Street.
  • Lake Washington Boulevard between Montlake Boulevard and 24th Avenue East.
  • All SR 520 on- and off-ramps to and from Montlake, including the westbound SR 520 off-ramp to Lake Washington Boulevard.
Map showing Montlake closure Closed sections Montlake Blvd between E Hamlin St and E Louisa St SR 520 off-ramps to Montlake Blvd, and westbound SR 520

Please note that drivers heading east on SR 520 from I-5 will need to pay a toll to cross the bridge. There is no exit before the toll when the Montlake Boulevard ramp is closed.

There will be a signed detour through the work area for pedestrians and bicyclists. The SR 520 Trail will stay open.

Closures will begin at 10 p.m. tonight, June 21, and continue until 5 a.m. Monday, June 24. During the closures, crews will install permanent roadway and utilities. Plan ahead and use alternate routes!


Montlake’s “Ramps to Nowhere” all but a memory

Crews recently removed the last remnants of the infamous “Ramps to Nowhere” in the arboretum. Watch our YouTube video for a time-lapse of the removal process and hear comments from Seattle ARCH members during a recent celebration. Seattle ARCH is dedicated to remembering citizen activism against freeway construction in the 1960s and 70s.

The ramps were originally part of the R.H. Thomson Expressway Project, halted in the 1970s due to community opposition. A remaining “bent” in the arboretum, shown below, will remain as a historic marker to honor the community's successful efforts to stop the project. To learn more, check out this webpage.

Remaining “bent”, a concrete crossbeam over four support columns to commemorate community efforts halting the R.H. Thomson Expressway project

The final stretch: Summer closures ahead, but finish line in sight for Montlake Project

Summer is here, and major work is in full swing to complete the Montlake Project. While dates and details may change as we get closer, you can expect two major closures each month this summer. Check out this blog post to help plan your summer adventures. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we reach the final stretch.


Register for our online construction meeting next week

We’re holding our next Montlake Project monthly meeting virtually at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26. Join us to learn about current and upcoming construction activities, including planned street and highway closures. Register below to attend and participate in a Q&A.

Missed our last monthly meeting? You can view the presentation online (PDF 7.2MB) or watch the meeting recording on YouTube.


Construction Corner roundup

  • June 21-24: Montlake Boulevard, Lake Washington Boulevard and associated SR 520 ramps closed
  • June 24 – July 3: East Roanoke Street between East Louisa Street and Montlake Boulevard closed around-the-clock
  • June 24-27: Mercer Street on-ramps to northbound and southbound I-5 closed nightly
  • Ongoing: Montlake Boulevard on-ramp to eastbound SR 520 closed weeknights
  • Ongoing: Portage Bay on-land drilling for soil sampling
  • Ongoing: Westbound SR 520 off-ramp to southbound I-5 reduced to one lane

Check out the SR 520 Construction Corner map for the most up-to-date information on closures and construction impacts


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 (206-200-9484, 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.
  • Email Regina Glenn, WSDOT Megaprograms Diversity and Inclusion Manager, for more information about contracting opportunities.
  • 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

If you have difficulty understanding English, you may request language assistance services free of charge by calling (360) 705-7090 or emailing TitleVI@WSDOT.WA.GOV.

Español - Spanish servicios de traducción Aviso a personas con dominio limitado del idioma inglés: Si usted tiene alguna dificultad en entender el idioma inglés, puede, sin costo alguno, solicitar asistencia lingüística con respecto a esta información llamando al (360) 705-7090, o envíe un mensaje de correo electrónico a: TitleVI@WSDOT.WA.GOV.

中文 - Chinese 翻译服务 如果您难以理解英文,则请致电:(360) 705-7090,或给我们发送电子邮件: TitleVI@WSDOT.WA.GOV,请求获取免费语言援助服务。

tiếng Việt-Vietnamese các dịch vụ dịch thuật Nếu quý vị không hiểu tiếng Anh, quý vị có thể yêu cầu dịch vụ trợ giúp ngôn ngữ, miễn phí, bằng cách gọi số (360) 705-7090 hoặc email cho chúng tôi tại: TitleVI@WSDOT.WA.GOV.

한국어 - Korean 번역 서비스 영어로 소통하는 것이 불편하시다면, (360) 705-7090으로 전화하시거나 다음 이메일로 연락하셔서 무료 언어 지원 서비스를 요청하실 수 있습니다: TitleVI@WSDOT.WA.GOV.

Af-soomaaliga - Somali Adeegyada Turjumaada Haddii ay kugu adag tahay inaad fahamtid Ingiriisida, waxaad, bilaash, ku codsan kartaa adeegyada caawimada luuqada adoo wacaaya (360) 705-7090 ama iimayl noogu soo dir: TitleVI@WSDOT.WA.GOV.

русский - Russian Услуги перевода Если вам трудно понимать английский язык, вы можете запросить бесплатные языковые услуги, позвонив по телефону (360) 705-7090 или написав нам на электронную почту: TitleVI@WSDOT.WA.GOV.

ِيَّة Arabic - اَلْعَ َرب خدمات الترجمة إذا كنت تجد صعوبة في فھم اللغة الإنجلیزیة، فیمكنك مجان ا طلب خدمات المساعدة اللغویة عن طریق الاتصال بالرقم .TitleVI@WSDOT.WA.GOV: الإلكتروني البرید عبر مراسلتنا أو)، 360) 705-7090

 


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 tools listed above.