In Kirkland, Washington, local drivers are facing temporary changes as the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has closed the freeway entrance ramps to southbound I-405 from Northeast 124th and 116th Streets. This decision comes after numerous reports of drivers mistakenly heading the wrong way down these on-ramps, posing a risk to both travelers and construction workers.

Construction and Safety Measures

The closures are part of a broader effort to ensure safety during an ongoing fish passage project beneath southbound I-405. This project, which began on May 29, involves creating a tunnel to facilitate a new route for fish passage by cutting through a section of the roadway. Once the tunnel is complete, the street will be repaved and restriped.

WSDOT officials emphasized the importance of these measures, stating that the closure is essential to protect both the public and the construction crews working on-site. The agency has communicated these changes through social media to keep the community informed.

Detour Routes and Project Timeline

In addition to the on-ramp closures, the Kirkland city government has updated the traffic detour routes to help drivers navigate the area during the construction period. Southbound I-405 is closed from the I-405/NE 85th Street interchange to N 70th Place, with clearly marked detour routes in place.

The project is expected to be completed by 4 a.m. on Monday, at which point the freeway and on-ramps will reopen, and normal traffic patterns will resume. Until then, drivers are encouraged to follow the detour signs and plan their routes accordingly to avoid delays.

Original reporting: KING5 Seattle — read the source article.