My family leaves near Interlake High School off of Northeast 24th Street. I work in the Eastgate area. The most direct route to work is south on 164th to the Phantom Lake area and then around to Eastgate.

Since the washout on West Lake Sammamish Parkway, plus people avoiding the 520 bridge, 164th has become bumper to bumper traffic most hours of the day. As a result of these changes, traveling north and south in Bellevue has become a challenge.

You can imagine my shock to see electronic signs announcing that 164th between Northeast Eighth Street and the Phantom Lake area is now going to be closed through the end of June! The sign suggests drivers use 156th or 148, both of which are already packed.

Closing 164th at this time is insane. Now a detour of the detour will definitely cause both 156th and 148th to become parking lots. What is the city thinking?

Just when the cost of gas has gone out of sight, the city creates a situation where cars will experience heavier traffic and use more gas. The city should wait until West Lake Sammamish is repaired to share some of the load.

Jack Fender, Bellevue