Seattle, WA, September 25, 2025
News Summary
Traffic on eastbound I-90 between Seattle and Bellevue is experiencing significant congestion due to ongoing construction and an accident involving an RV. The construction work on the East Channel Bridge began on September 18 and is expected to last until October 5, reducing traffic to three lanes. Additionally, an earlier RV fire has caused further backups, with some drivers facing travel times of up to two hours. Motorists are advised to check for updates and consider alternate routes to avoid delays.
Major Traffic Delays on Eastbound I-90 Due to Construction and Accidents
Seattle, WA – Traffic on the eastbound lanes of I-90 is experiencing significant congestion between Seattle and Bellevue due to ongoing road construction and a recent accident involving an RV. The roadwork, aimed at repairing expansion joints on the East Channel Bridge, began on September 18 and is expected to continue until October 5. During this period, eastbound traffic is reduced to three lanes, leading to notable delays for commuters.
As of 3:00 p.m. today, traffic was reported to be backed up from Bellevue East Bridge to the midpoint of the I-90 Floating Bridge, causing some drivers to face travel times of up to two hours from West Seattle to Bellevue. The construction area has also led to enforced speed limit reductions, with specific lane closures affecting Mercer Island. The 80th Street HOV on-ramp and the East Mercer Way on-ramp are currently closed to facilitate construction efforts.
In addition to the construction delays, an earlier incident exacerbated traffic woes on I-90 this week. A crash involving an RV that caught fire took place on Monday afternoon, prompting emergency services to respond and close all eastbound lanes near Rainier Avenue South for inspections. The smoke from the fire created visibility issues and led to significant delays until the lanes were reopened at 7:14 p.m. with no injuries reported.
Details of Current Traffic Conditions
Traffic congestion on eastbound I-90 is severe due to multiple factors:
- Ongoing construction from September 18 to October 5, reducing traffic to three lanes between Mercer Island and Eastside.
- Heavy backups on Mercer Island caused by lane reductions.
- Specific closures: the 80th Street HOV on-ramp and the East Mercer Way on-ramp.
- Recent accident involving an RV fire creating significant delays.
- Travel times increasing to two hours from West Seattle to Bellevue for some commuters.
Future Traffic Updates and Continued Closures
Construction is set to continue with lane and speed limit reductions in effect until 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 5. The East Mercer Way on-ramp construction is anticipated to conclude by this Friday, aiming to restore normal traffic flow as soon as possible. However, a flammable cargo restriction remains for vehicles traveling through the Mount Baker and Mercer Island Lid tunnels due to safety concerns following the RV fire incident.
Other construction and maintenance work on I-90 and I-405 throughout September may further impact traffic conditions. Motorists are advised to plan ahead and take alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.
Background Context
I-90 is a vital east-west interstate connection across Washington State, linking Seattle with various cities and regions. The ongoing construction and recent accidents illustrate the challenges of maintaining infrastructure while accommodating a growing volume of commuter traffic. This construction project is part of a larger effort to enhance road safety and efficiency along the interstate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the current traffic conditions on I-90?
Traffic is heavily congested on the eastbound lanes of I-90 between Seattle and Bellevue due to construction work and a recent accident. Travel times may increase to two hours for some routes.
When will the construction on I-90 be completed?
Construction is scheduled to continue until October 5, with specific lane and speed limit reductions in place until 7:00 a.m. on that date.
Are there any alternate routes to avoid traffic on I-90?
Motorists are advised to consider alternate routes if possible, although specific alternatives are not detailed in the report. It is essential to stay updated on traffic conditions before heading out.
Key Features of I-90 Delays
| Description | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Traffic Conditions | Heavily congested; significant delays reported |
| Construction Timeline | September 18 – October 5, 2023 |
| Traffic Closures | 80th Street HOV on-ramp and East Mercer Way on-ramp closed |
| Impact of Recent Accidents | RV fire caused extensive delays; all lanes reopened by 7:14 p.m. |
| Future Updates | Ongoing construction may lead to further delays; check for alternate routes |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Spokane Construction Projects Disrupted by Labor Strike
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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