Travelers should prepare for significant disruptions as a critical stretch of State Route 18 prepares to shut down for an entire weekend. Starting Friday night, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will close the highway in both directions between I-90 and Issaquah-Hobart Road to conduct essential maintenance and advance a long-term widening project.
Essential Details for Commuters:
- Closure Duration: The shutdown begins at 9:00 p.m. on Friday and is expected to last until 5:00 a.m. on Monday.
- Purpose of Work: By closing the road completely, crews can safely perform intensive tasks, including repairing guardrails, clearing drainage systems, and removing hazardous trees. Simultaneously, construction teams will work on shifting lanes and removing barriers for the ongoing project to expand the highway to four lanes.
- Detour Routes: Drivers are encouraged to bypass the area using I-405, SR 169, or SR 900. Local access will be restricted to residents and businesses located between the Tiger Mountain summit and I-90.
- Advice for Freight: Heavy trucks and semi-trailers are strongly advised to stick to I-90 and I-405, as the narrow local roads in Issaquah are not designed to handle large commercial vehicles.
WSDOT officials opted for a full weekend closure to consolidate multiple projects, ultimately reducing the need for several weeks of nightly lane closures. Travelers are urged to plan ahead and allow for extra travel time throughout the weekend.
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