Northbound traffic on East Lake Sammamish Parkway (far lane) frequently comes to a standstill between Interstate 90 and the Issaquah-Fall City Road. A free right-hand lane is one of the features in a $3.6 million road improvement project that King County will begin constructing next week [enlarged view].

Work is expected to begin next Monday, June 17, on $3.4 million in improvements to East Lake Sammamish Parkway between Interstate 90 and the Issaquah-Fall City Road.

The King County Road Services Division will begin with clearing and grading on both sides of the parkway to widen the road and increase its capacity for traffic entering and exiting the interstate and traveling into Issaquah.

The northbound section of East Lake Sammamish Parkway will be widened to four lanes: one left turn lane; two through lanes; and a lane dedicated for free right turns onto Issaquah-Fall City Road.

The southbound section of the parkway will also be widened, but the lane configuration will remain the same until the city of Issaquah assumes responsibility for the road after construction is completed.

The project also includes upgrading the traffic signal at the intersection with Issaquah-Fall City Road, improved stormwater drainage, plus new sidewalks, curbs and gutters on both sides of East Lake Sammamish.

There are no full road closures expected, but once clearing and grading is complete there could be intermittent lane closures. While the county will make every attempt to minimize traffic impacts, drivers are encouraged to use an alternate route via Southeast 56th Street to I-90 to avoid slowdowns

The county is applying to the city of Issaquah for permission to do some of the work in the evening, when traffic volumes are lighter.