Montlake Boulevard closed Sept. 13-16: New direct access ramps opening next week!

Washington State Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 09/12/2024 04:16 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 Boulevard closed this weekend, Sept. 13-16

There’s big milestone closure in Montlake this weekend. First, a breakdown of what’s closed:

  • Montlake Boulevard between East Hamlin Street and East Louisa Street
  • Lake Washington Boulevard between Montlake Boulevard and East Foster Island Road
  • East Roanoke Street between Montlake Boulevard and East Louisa Street
  • All SR 520 on- and off-ramps to and from Montlake, including the westbound SR 520 off-ramp to Lake Washington Boulevard
0912Graphic shows map of Montlake with red closure routes and text legend ontop right

Closures will begin at 10 p.m. Friday Sept. 13, and last until 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 16.

Drivers heading east on SR 520 from I-5 will need to pay a toll to cross the bridge since there’s no exit before the toll when the Montlake Boulevard ramp is closed.

A signed detour for pedestrians and bicyclists will be in place through the work area. The SR 520 Trail will be open. Local access will be maintained.

This closure will allow crews to install new traffic signals and prepare east and westbound direct access ramps on the new Montlake lid.

After the weekend closure: A new day, a new way for HOV 3+ and transit

When everything reopens at 5 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 16, drivers will notice some exciting changes in the area. Here’s the rundown:

  • New HOV ramps will provide direct access between SR 520 and the Montlake neighborhood for buses and carpools (3+ passengers).
  • Once the ramps open, drivers will notice new movements, including…
    • New HOV turn lanes on Montlake and Lake Washington Boulevards.
    • A brand new four-way stop on the Montlake lid to manage direct access ramp traffic and for westbound SR 520 drivers exiting to Lake Washington Boulevard.

Check out this PSA video where Steve breaks it all down:

screengrab of man wearing construction gear addressing camera with construction area of transit center in back.png

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Transit riders can take a brand-new route between Montlake Boulevard and the SR 520 HOV lanes. However, transit service on the Montlake lid isn’t up and running just yet. The multimodal transit hub should be ready this fall – stay tuned for updates!
  • The new ramps are only for HOV 3+ vehicles and transit, meaning you need at least three people in your car. If you’re driving solo or with another passenger, you'll need to use the usual ramps to get on and off  SR 520.
  • With new ramps and more lane capacity on Montlake Boulevard and the lid, getting through the area will be smoother, but it might take time to adjust to the changes. Crews are also still doing construction in the area. Slow down, stay alert and give yourself time to get used to the new layout!

Montlake Project September online construction meeting

Questions about the new movements in Montlake? Join us for our next Montlake Project monthly meeting held virtually at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18. You’ll also 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 August monthly meeting? You can view the presentation online (PDF 6.7MB) or watch the meeting recording on YouTube.

Construction Corner roundup

  • Sept. 4-13: Lake Washington Boulevard westbound lane closed
  • Sept. 9-13: East Roanoke Street sidewalk between 20th Avenue East and Montlake Boulevard closed around-the-clock
    Sept. 9-13: East sidewalk on Montlake Boulevard closed around-the-clock
  • Sept.12-16: Mercer Street on-ramps to northbound and southbound I-5 closed night of Sept. 12, Sept. 13-16, and night of Sept. 16
  • Sept. 13-16: Montlake Boulevard between East Hamlin Street and East Louisa Street closed around-the-clock
  • Sept. 16-19: Westbound 520 off-ramps to Montlake Boulevard and Lake Washington Boulevard closed nightly
  • Sept. 16-20: West sidewalk on Montlake Boulevard closed around-the-clock
  • Sept. 20-23: Lake Washington Boulevard between Montlake Boulevard and Foster Island Road closed around-the-clock
  • Sept. 23-27: Sidewalk on eastside of Roanoke Street closed around-the-clock
  • Sept. 27-30: SR 520 closed in both directions across Lake Washington around-the-clock
  • Ongoing: Montlake Boulevard on-ramp to eastbound SR 520 closed weeknights
  • Ongoing: Portage Bay on-land drilling for soil sampling

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 
    • Portage Bay Project: 206-319-4520 
  • 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.

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