In Case You Plan to Cross the Water this Weekend...

State Route 520 will be closed in both directions over the Aug. 26-29 weekend, as improvements to the Eastside highway in connection with a new bridge continue.

From 11 p.m., Friday, Aug. 26, to 5 a.m., Monday, Aug. 29, the floating bridge, highway and all ramps will be closed between Interstate 405 and Montlake Boulevard in Seattle.

State officials have said that the bridge is set for another weekend closure in September, and motorists can expect at least one weekend closure a month through November.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) encourages drivers to plan ahead when considering weekend travel, which includes several major events in Seattle. The heaviest traffic is expected midday Saturday and Sunday on Interstates 5 and 90 heading into Seattle, and on Interstate 405 approaching I-90. The express lane schedules will change this weekend on I-5 and I-90 to help improve traffic flow, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

 “Crews need this weekend to finish major culvert and stream work before migrating fish return this fall,” Brian Dobbins, WSDOT construction engineer for the SR 520 Eastside Transit and HOV Project, said in a prepared statement.

“Traffic conditions during these construction closures depend on drivers. We all need people to consider their options – leave early, take a different  route, find a carpool buddy, take the bus or keep activities close to home," he said.

With approximately 166,000 vehicles traveling this route on a typical summer weekend, drivers are advised to take alternate routes, allow time for delays and avoid traveling across the lake altogether if they can. Carpools and transit are also suggested.

The State Route 520 Eastside Transit and HOV project is a $306 million project that will upgrade culverts, reconfigure the HOV lanes, add access for transit and add

The $306 million SR 520 Eastside Transit and HOV Project will:

• Widen SR 520 and create carpool lanes in both directions.
• Widen the shoulders, so disabled vehicles will not block the lanes of traffic.
• Create three landscaped lids over SR 520, two with access to new transit stops.
• Add a bike and pedestrian lane to SR 520.
• Create environmental improvements, including improvements to streams and noise barriers.

The project is slated for completion in 2013.

The project hotline is 425-998-5200.

-- Information from the city of Bellevue, the Washington State Department of Transportation and Bellevue Patch archives.