A key on-ramp to I-405 will close for two weeks starting next week as part of a project to reduce congestion in the area.

Crews will close the on-ramp from Tukwila Parkway to northbound Interstate 405 at 6 a.m. on Monday, May 4. The ramp will remain closed around the clock for 14 consecutive days, reopening at 6 a.m. on May 18. During the closure crews will rebuild and repave the ramp to match the width and height of the future new northbound lanes that will be built on I-405.

“The full ramp closure will give crews the opportunity to complete the repaving work safely,” said Lisa Hodgson, the state transportation department project engineer. “The closure will also allow us to complete the work efficiently with less inconvenience to the public.”

The closure is part of the I-405/I-5 to SR 169 Stage 1 – Widening Project. The $91.5 million project is estimated to support 163 jobs in 2009 and 2010. WSDOT and contractor crews are building a new lane in each direction on I-405 between I-5 and SR 167 and a new lane on southbound SR 167 between I-405 and SW 41st Street. When complete in summer 2010, these project improvements will help relieve congestion at the I-405/SR 167 interchange and throughout the drive from Renton to Tukwila, one of the worst bottlenecks along the I-405 corridor.

DETOUR

During the closure drivers should slow down, use caution and pay close attention to detour signs. Drivers will use a detour route from either 61st Avenue South or 66th Avenue South to eastbound Southcenter Boulevard to West Valley Road (SR 181). Drivers will access northbound I-405 using the I-405/SR 181 interchange.

Here’s a detour map and other information about the project.