Seattle, Washington, September 25, 2025
News Summary
Significant delays are occurring on eastbound I-90, especially between Seattle and Bellevue, due to ongoing construction and recent accidents. Construction work has narrowed lanes, with traffic backed up significantly. Recent incidents, including a crash and an RV fire, have further complicated the situation. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time and stay informed about conditions as the construction project is set to continue for several weeks.
Traffic Alert: Major Delays on Eastbound I-90 Due to Construction and Accidents
Seattle traffic is experiencing significant delays on eastbound I-90, particularly between the Seattle and Bellevue areas, due to ongoing construction and recent accidents. The construction work, which began on September 18, is scheduled to continue until October 5, significantly impacting traffic flow by reducing the freeway to three lanes between Mercer Island and the Eastside.
As part of the construction project, crews are repairing joints on the East Channel Bridge. Consequently, reduced speed limits have been instituted to ensure safety while the work progresses. Mercer Island is especially affected, with major traffic backups reported because of lane reductions. Key closures include the 80th Street HOV on-ramp and the East Mercer Way on-ramp, with the Island Crest Way eastbound on-ramp remaining the only open entrance during the construction period.
As of 3:00 p.m. on Monday, traffic was backed up from the Bellevue East Bridge to halfway across the I-90 Floating Bridge. Many commuters are facing travel times of up to two hours when traveling from West Seattle to Bellevue. Lane and speed limit reductions will remain in effect until 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 5.
In addition to construction delays, a crash and RV fire on Monday afternoon further compounded the traffic situation. The incident involved another car and an RV, which caught fire near Rainier Avenue South, creating large plumes of smoke and leading to the closure of eastbound lanes of I-90. Emergency crews managed to extinguish the fire and control the situation by 12:50 p.m., and inspections by WSDOT crews resulted in all lanes being reopened by 7:14 p.m. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries from this incident, though a flammable cargo restriction remains in place for the Mount Baker and Mercer Island Lid tunnels as a precautionary measure.
Traffic on Mercer Island is expected to become increasingly complicated as the I-90 expansion joint replacement project takes place concurrently with other roadwork. The East Mercer Way on-ramp to I-90 eastbound will be closed for 6 to 8 days, while the HOV on-ramp at 80th Avenue Southeast will be closed for 16 days. The ongoing disruptions on I-90 are part of a broader pattern of additional closures and lane reductions that are planned on I-90 and I-405 throughout September, impacting traffic in various areas.
Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time, consider alternative routes, and stay informed about current traffic conditions as they navigate through these challenging circumstances.
FAQ Section
What construction is causing traffic delays on I-90?
Ongoing construction for expansion joint replacement on I-90 and related work on the East Channel Bridge.
What are the expected traffic conditions during the construction period?
Expect significant delays with reduced lanes and speed limits in effect until October 5.
What specific closures are in place?
The 80th Street HOV on-ramp and the East Mercer Way on-ramp are closed, with the Island Crest Way on-ramp being the only open entrance during construction.
When will the construction conclude?
The construction is scheduled to end on October 5.
What happened during the recent accident on I-90?
A crash involving an RV and another vehicle caused significant delays due to fire and smoke. All lanes were reopened by 7:14 p.m. without reported injuries.
Key Features of Traffic Conditions
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Construction Start Date | September 18 |
| Construction End Date | October 5 |
| Traffic Lane Reduction | Three lanes between Mercer Island and Eastside |
| Major Traffic Backups | From Bellevue East Bridge to halfway across the I-90 Floating Bridge |
| Current Estimated Travel Times | Up to two hours from West Seattle to Bellevue |
| Accident Time | Monday afternoon |
| Completion of Accident Clearance | 7:14 p.m. on the same day |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Labor Strike Disrupts Construction Projects in Spokane
Additional Resources
- Fox 13 Seattle: Eastbound I-90 Traffic Update
- Seattle Times: I-405 and I-90 Closures
- KIRO 7: WSDOT Reschedules 5-Day Closure
- KOMO News: I-90 Mount Baker Tunnel Incident
- My Northwest: I-90 Mercer Island Chokepoints
- Wikipedia: Interstate 90
- Google Search: Traffic Updates Seattle
- Google Scholar: Traffic Management Seattle
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic
- Google News: Seattle Traffic News
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