Full closure of I-405 in Renton this weekend is expected to impact traffic in Bellevue, Seattle and throughout the Puget Sound region.

Crews will close all lanes of I-405 in both directions between SR 167 and Maple Valley Highway (SR 169) this weekend to remove the old Benson Road South Bridge.

WSDOT traffic engineers predict congestion on SR 167, SR 169, I-405, I-5 and I-90 as drivers use alternate routes to navigate around the closure.

Crews will close all lanes of I-405 between SR 167 and SR 169 at 2 a.m., Saturday, July 10. The road will reopen at 11 a.m. Sunday, July 11.

“We know this is an inconvenience to drivers, but we need all lanes closed to take down this bridge as safely and efficiently as possible,” said Eastside Corridor Director Kim Henry. “We’ve been dismantling the bridge all week from the inside out to get as much work done without closing the freeway, but at this point we have to bring in the removal equipment.”

During the 33-hour closure crews will remove the old bridge and replace damaged concrete panels, install signs, install sign bridges, work on storm drainage, clean up and safely reopen the freeway by Sunday before noon.

The state expects the closure to affect all traffic on state highways in the greater Seattle and Bellevue areas including I-5, I-405, SR 167, I-90 and SR 520 as drivers use alternate routes to avoid the closure.

During the 33-hour closure, the state suggests drivers can:

· Travel before 9 a.m. or after 10 p.m. on Saturday to avoid the worst congestion

· Plan extra time to get to their destination

To help manage traffic, WSDOT will:

· Deliver updated congestion and work progress information via the web, radio, TV news, Highway Advisory Radio, and the overhead electronic signs.

· Run the I-5 express lanes in the northbound direction and the I-90 express lanes in the westbound direction throughout the 33-hour closure.