According to the Washington Department of Transportation, the backup on I-405 in Bellevue is due to planned construction on the highway, with only one exit, Exit 70, open for drivers to get off the freeway.
In a post on X.com, WSDOT said it had closed the Westbound State Route 520 ramp leading into Northbound I-405 due to “unsafe driver behavior”. The ramp will remain closed until 5 am on Monday.
Washington State Trooper Rick Johnson told KIRO 7 that local 9-1-1 call centers are being overwhelmed by people calling the emergency line for answers about the backup.
He urged those stuck in traffic not to do this unless they are experiencing a medical emergency.
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