Renton drivers should prepare for nightly closures of southbound I-405 beginning Monday night, Aug. 31, through Wednesday morning, Sept. 2. The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will close the freeway from 11:59 p.m. to 4 a.m. each night to install new overhead sign structures as part of the long‑range I‑405/Renton to Bellevue widening and express toll lanes (ETL) project.
Detour routes and ramp closures
Motorists will encounter a signed detour while the closures are in effect. The following ramps will be unavailable: the SR 169/SR 900 on‑ramp to southbound I-405, the southbound I-405 off‑ramp to SR 515/Talbot Road South (Exit 3), the southbound I-405 HOV ramp to SR 167, and the southbound I-405 off‑ramp to southbound SR 167/Auburn/Rainier Avenue South (Exit 2). The southbound I-405 off‑ramp to SR 169/SR 900 (Exit 4) will remain open.
Project goals and timeline
The new sign structures support the broader I‑405 widening effort, which aims to improve travel speeds, increase trip reliability, and accommodate a new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line between Lynnwood and Tukwila. The project will also extend the express toll lane system, linking the existing lanes between Bellevue and Lynnwood with the SR 167 HOT lanes via the I‑405/SR 167 Interchange Direct Connector. When completed, the system will span roughly 40 miles of ETL.
Construction is slated for completion in 2027, pending favorable weather conditions. If severe weather intervenes, WSDOT may reschedule the work. Updated schedules will be posted on the project’s webpage, the WSDOT Travel Center map, the agency’s mobile app, and through King County email alerts.
What residents can do
Drivers are encouraged to plan alternate routes, allow extra travel time, and stay informed through the official channels mentioned above. Local businesses and commuters who rely on the affected ramps should consider using nearby on‑ramps such as the open Exit 4 to SR 169/SR 900, or alternative arterials like SR 515 and SR 167.
By modernizing the signage and expanding the express toll lane network, the project reflects a commitment to safer, faster travel for families and workers throughout the greater Seattle region, aligning with the community’s need for reliable transportation infrastructure.
Original reporting: Renton Reporter — read the source article.
