ISSAQUAH – People who use State Route 18 between Snoqualmie Pass and south King County will want to plan for alternative routes and extra travel time Friday, Dec. 15. Beginning at 4 a.m. until 2 p.m., the highway will close from Interstate 90 to Issaquah-Hobart Road Southeast for emergency asphalt repairs
During the closure, Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews will remove and repave damaged asphalt.
Recent wet weather and aging asphalt caused the damage. Leading up to the closure people may experience rougher than usual roads and are advised to use caution in the area.
This time of year, there is limited availability at asphalt plants which operate during daytime hours only and will soon close for three weeks. The material needed for this emergency repair will not be available for the remainder of December and the first week of January. The daytime work will allow crews access to materials while minimizing the likelihood of a prolonged closure.
Long term, SR 18 corridor improvements include widening the highway to two lanes in each direction with a median barrier separating eastbound and westbound. The project widening SR 18 west of Deep Creek is scheduled to begin in 2025 when the I-90/SR 18 interchange improvements project, currently under construction, is complete.
This work is weather permitting and may be rescheduled.
People can access WSDOT's real-time travel center for more information regarding this emergency repair.