Mercer Island Traffic Changes Coming As Light Rail Construction Begins

MERCER ISLAND, WA - As soon as next week, island residents can begin to see some temporary traffic changes in the I-90 area. The changes are related to construction of the East Link light rail line. Some of the changes include new Washington state Department of Transportation cameras, which will hopefully assist in controlling traffic delays.

Here are the upcoming temporary traffic changes, according to the city of Mercer Island:

• The addition of temporary traffic signals along North Mercer Way at the intersections of 76th Avenue SE and 77th Avenue SE
• Three additional WSDOT traffic cameras will be installed to help adjust traffic flows
• More left-turn queueing space will be striped onto Island Crest Way at North Mercer Way
• A bus-only bypass will be striped at the 76th Avenue SE westbound on-ramp
• WSDOT will also do some preparation work for a possible future alternating, 2-lane metered entrance at the West Mercer Way on-ramp (i.e. removing today's HOV bypass)

Express lanes along I-90 are scheduled to close June 3. In preparation for that, WSDOT will restrict I-90 access this weekend - the third and final such restriction - to create new HOV lanes to replace the express lanes.

Image via city of Mercer Island