Bothell Begins First Weekend I‑405 Ramp Dismantling, Triggering Four Closures
Updated (2 articles)
Ramp Removal Starts Friday Night, Opening Interchange Center Crews began dismantling the large northbound I‑405 flyover ramps that connect to SR 522 on Friday night, continuing into Saturday morning. The work is part of the I‑405/Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project, which aims to widen I‑405 through Bothell. Removing the ramps creates space for additional infrastructure improvements. [1]
Four Consecutive Weekend Closures Scheduled Through Mid‑March The timetable includes closures on Feb 20‑21 (westbound SR 522 lanes 9 p.m.–6 a.m.), Feb 27‑Mar 2 (both SR 522 directions 10 p.m.–4 a.m.), early Mar 6‑9 and early Mar 13‑16 (all I‑405 lanes Friday night to Monday morning). Some lanes may close earlier than announced, as early as 8 p.m. on Feb 20‑21 and 9 p.m. on Feb 27‑Mar 2. Later closure dates remain to be finalized. [1]
WSDOT Emphasizes Safety and Heavy Equipment Constraints The Washington State Department of Transportation cites the need to protect the public while operating heavy equipment and sequencing work as primary reasons for the closures. Safety considerations dictate that the road be closed during removal to prevent accidents. The agency coordinated the timing to minimize disruption while ensuring worker safety. [1]
Project Aims to Add Express Toll Lanes and Bus Service Dismantling the ramps will free up space for new express toll lanes in each direction and direct access ramps to those lanes. The plan also includes future rapid bus service and improved freight mobility through Bothell. These enhancements are intended to increase corridor capacity and provide multimodal options. [1]
Program Administrator Acknowledges Inconvenience, Seeks Early Lane Reopenings Lisa Hodgson, program administrator, recognized the challenges the closures pose for commuters. She indicated the agency is exploring ways to reopen lanes sooner despite the size of the structures. The statement underscores a commitment to balancing construction progress with public impact. [1]
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Timeline
2022: Ohio Department of Transportation launches the Downtown Ramp Up project in Columbus, aiming to cut lane changes on I‑70/I‑71 by about 70 % and improve safety and congestion [1].
Dec 18, 2025: ODOT opens the new southbound I‑71 flyover ramp in downtown Columbus, a mile‑long structure 100 ft above the Scioto River that eliminates the left‑side merge and three‑lane crossing, marking a major step toward the project’s lane‑change reduction goal [1].
Winter 2025‑2026: The I‑71 flyover ramp operates on a single lane while construction continues near Greenlawn Avenue, providing immediate traffic relief as crews finish remaining work [1].
Dec 20, 2025 (Saturday): The 3rd Street ramp to I‑70 west closes permanently, with detours routed via Mound Street to the new ramp or I‑70 west, completing the first phase of downtown ramp reconfiguration [1].
2026‑2027 (planned): The next phase of Downtown Ramp Up will reconstruct the High Street, 3rd Street and 4th Street bridges over I‑70, adding enhanced bike and pedestrian connections and further easing downtown traffic [1].
Feb 20‑21, 2026: WSDOT begins the first of four weekend closures in Bothell, shutting westbound SR 522 lanes from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. to start dismantling the northbound I‑405 flyover ramp and open the interchange center for widening [2].
Feb 27‑Mar 2, 2026: A second weekend closure restricts both directions of SR 522 from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., continuing ramp removal and preparing the site for new express toll lanes [2].
Mar 6‑9, 2026: The third weekend closure shuts all I‑405 lanes from Friday night to Monday morning, allowing heavy equipment to dismantle remaining ramp structures safely [2].
Mar 13‑16, 2026: The fourth weekend closure repeats the all‑lane shutdown on I‑405, finalizing ramp removal and clearing space for future rapid bus service and improved freight mobility [2].
2026‑future: After ramp removal, Bothell will add express toll lanes in each direction, direct‑access ramps, and a rapid bus service as part of the I‑405/Brickyard to SR 527 Improvement Project, enhancing regional transit and freight flow [2].
2026‑future: Program administrator Lisa Hodgson acknowledges the inconvenience of the closures, stating, “We understand the closures are challenging…we will look for opportunities to reopen lanes sooner despite the large structures,” underscoring the agency’s commitment to minimizing impact while advancing the project [2].