Driving between North Bend and Ellensburg this summer? See I-90 closures, repairs for 2023
The Washington State Department of Transportation has a busy year of makeovers planned for Interstate 90, including a handful of projects scheduled for both sides of the mountains. Between April and November, WSDOT is advising travelers to specifically plan extra time for trips including I-90 between North Bend and Ellensburg.
Most of the projects are worked on only on weekdays. Projects include pavement fixes, bridge deck repairs and slope stabilization.
“This year there will be multiple projects along I-90, which means travelers need to be prepared for slowdowns and plan for a longer trip,” said Brian White, WSDOT’s assistant region administrator for design and construction in a press release. “Please stay attentive and be patient while driving between North Bend and Ellensburg.”
Check road conditions online or get updates to your phone by texting START to 85107. You can also follow @SnoqualmiePass on Twitter or download the WSDOT app.
WSDOT’s Kittitas County projects
Vantage Bridge
WSDOT crews will replace the Vantage Bridge Deck from August to November this year through 2026. Both directions will have single-lane closures during the day along the eastern half of the bridge, headed to Grant County.
Cle Elum Road bridges
Bridge deck repairs at Cle Elum Road bridges are planned for June through November this year through 2025. Expect single-lane closures and rolling slow-downs in both directions during the day, and occasional lane closures at night. Throughout the project, two lanes will be open for travel on the stretch of I-90 near the Cle Elum Fireman’s Park.
Cabin Creek to Easton
WSDOT is also planning to soon start phase three of the six-year Snoqualmie Pass East project between the Cabin Creek and West Easton interchanges. The project is aimed at increasing the width and reliability of the busy stretch of highway. Crews will be rebuilding the roadway and bridges, plus add more lanes.
The department will also conduct its regular rock blasts on I-90 during the summer, when portions of the highway will be closed to manually clear dangerous formations. The closures will last around an hour, beginning before sunset.
WSDOT’s King County projects
Homestead Valley Road to Coal Creek
Crews will work to improve the bridge deck between Homestead Valley Road and Coal Creek. Repairs are scheduled for June through November 2023-25. Expect lane restrictions and shifts in daytime traffic between North Bend and Hyak, beginning past Keechelus Lake and ending before the outlets.
East of Tinkham Road
The three-lane stretch of highway will be downsized to two lanes while the rightmost is closed 24/7 during this project. Construction is expected to take place between June and November to stabilize the slope. Closures will be near South Fork Snoqualmie River and Garcia.
Keechelus Lake Wildlife Overcrossing
WSDOT is placing heat strips underneath the wildlife crossing bridge during the summer of 2023. WSDOT says that despite the engineering precautions taken during bridge design, icicles have still been forming underneath. Workers will install these heat strips while it’s warm in order to prevent icicles in the future. Expect single-lane closures in either direction at night and reduced speeds between Keechelus Lake and Kachess Lake Road.
Eastgate to SR 900
A project more than three years in the making is expected to wrap up by winter 2023. Crews are working to add auxiliary lanes on a heavily-used section of I-90. Expect lane and ramp closures in both directions between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. and shifted lanes between the Eastgate and West Lake Sammamish Parkway interchanges.
