I-90 Lanes to Close Overnight for Maintenance
Washington State Department of Transportation will shut all eastbound Interstate 90 lanes and on-ramps for scheduled overnight work on Nov. 6.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Car Maintenance
The Washington State Department of Transportation will close all eastbound Interstate 90 lanes and on-ramps overnight on Nov. 6 for scheduled maintenance. Closures run from Rainier Avenue South to 77th Avenue Southeast, with all lanes scheduled to reopen by 6 a.m. on Nov. 7.
Why it matters
The overnight closure affects commuters traveling between Seattle and the Eastside, including Mercer Island. Planning alternate routes in advance can reduce delays during the closure window.
The eastbound lanes close from milepost 3 at Rainier Avenue South to milepost 6 at 77th Avenue Southeast, with on-ramps from both northbound and southbound I-5 and Rainier Avenue South also closed. Tunnel work during the closure covers fire systems testing, light repairs, road sweeping and drain cleaning.
The players
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
The state agency responsible for maintaining and operating Washington's highways, including Interstate 90, and for providing real-time traffic information to motorists.
The details
Crews will perform fire systems testing, light repairs, road sweeping and drain cleaning in the tunnel during the closure. Drivers can check real-time traffic conditions through WSDOT's online travel tools before heading out.
Timeline
Lane closures begin at 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2026.
All eastbound I-90 lanes are closed by 10 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2026.
All lanes are scheduled to reopen by 6 a.m. on Nov. 7, 2026.
Roadmap
Scheduled overnight closures like this one are part of WSDOT's ongoing maintenance cycle for the Interstate 90 corridor through Seattle. Keeping tunnel fire systems, drainage and road surfaces in working order reduces the risk of larger, more disruptive repairs later.
Seattle drivers heading east on I-90 on the night of Nov. 6 should expect the closure to block the route entirely until morning. Plan an alternate route or delay travel until after 6 a.m. on Nov. 7.
The takeaway
Drivers who commute across I-90 should check WSDOT's real-time traffic page before leaving on Nov. 6 and plan an alternate route. Early planning can save time during the overnight closure.
What happens next
All eastbound I-90 lanes are scheduled to reopen by 6 a.m. on Nov. 7, 2026, when normal traffic flow is expected to resume.
Further reading
Explore more on Car Maintenance for Seattle drivers planning around this week's closure.
More information
Check current conditions on the WSDOT real-time traffic information page before traveling.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Snoqualmie Valley Record.
