If you have been driving on I-405 the past few weeks you may have noticed a lot of green on the sides of the freeway. Crews in Renton and Bellevue have been getting the project sites ready for the upcoming wet weather by hydroseeding the ground to stabilize the soil.

Crews also are using a high strength, coarse, environmentally-friendly fabric called jute matting to stabilize slopes and aid in erosion control. The jute matting is placed over the soil like a blanket which protects it from water and wind erosion, and discourages weed growth.

Crews in Renton and Bellevue are also making progress adding new lanes to I-405. Last week, crews in Bellevue poured concrete for the deck of the new I-405 bridge over I-90. Crews in Renton also are working on a new bridge, building the piers that will support the deck of the new I-405 bridge over Oakesdale Avenue SW.

During the week of Oct. 10, crews completed the removal of the northbound portion of the old I-405 bridge over Oakesdale Avenue SW. Next year, crews will remove the rest of the old bridge and rebuild it to carry two extra lanes on I-405 between SR 167 and I-5.

For more information on the I-405 Corridor Program, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I405.