Washington State DOT plans public meetings on I-90 interchange project

A project to improve the Interstate 90-state Route 18 interchange near North Bend, Wash., that includes demolishing an old weigh station and building a new one, is seeking additional comment from the public.

The Washington State DOT is planning to make some major renovations to the interchange, which the agency says is one of the busiest in the state. The state DOT is soliciting public comment for all three project elements: improving the interchange, widening SR 18, and the weigh/inspection station.

Plans call for a diverging diamond interchange at the intersection of I-90 and Route 18 near North Bend. It also calls for the widening of Route 18 and the construction of a new weigh station at a location yet to be determined along I-90.

The DOT has scheduled two public open houses next week to get input on the project:

• The first will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, in Snoqualmie.
• The second will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, in North Bend.

The project began last summer, with the creation of a website that allows for comments to be sent directly to the agency. The site also posts announcement of upcoming meetings as well as feedback officials have received so far on each segment of the project. The website can be found here.

The original proposed location of the new weigh station was closer to North Bend met with opposition from city officials. The agency has three potential spots for the new weigh station, including one at milepost 80.3, near Cle Elum, roughly 50 miles east of the existing site.

Among the feedback WSDOT says they have received from the freight industry is a need for an eastbound weigh station, as well as “effective enforcement and a safe place to chain up when the weather is bad.”