Project overview
WSDOT, Sound Transit, and design-build contractor Graham Contracting, Ltd. are working to reconstruct and improve the I-405/Northeast 85th Street interchange. This project design supports Sound Transit's Stride Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), improves transit connections on Northeast 85th Street, and provides direct access to the I-405 Express Toll Lanes (ETLs).
With the City of Kirkland’s support, WSDOT and Sound Transit chose Northeast 85th Street for this project because it is a main connection between Downtown Kirkland, Redmond, and I-405. Working together, WSDOT, the City of Kirkland, and Sound Transit developed this project to improve accessibility for transit riders along the I-405 corridor and throughout the region and improve mobility and people who walk, bike, or roll.
The current interchange has two levels: the bottom level for local traffic on Northeast 85th Street and the top level for freeway traffic on I-405.
Project improvements along the lower level include local road improvements along Northeast 85th Street and its intersection with 114th Avenue Northeast/Kirkland Way.
The newly constructed middle level of the interchange is a multimodal hub. The hub will improve access and save time for transit riders, carpoolers, ETL users, and people who walk, bike, or roll. Transit riders will benefit from a new BRT station in the median of the northbound and southbound lanes, with connections to local bus stops. Pedestrians and cyclists will have wider sidewalks and better connections to BRT and the regional transit network. Carpoolers and ETL users will have direct-access ramps to the ETL system on I-405.
The project will also include fish barrier corrections, noise walls, and new stormwater facilities.
Once finished, this project will offer safer, more reliable transportation options for Kirkland residents, neighbors, and commuters – no matter how they get around.
What to expect
Upcoming new traffic alignment and nighttime lane closure on Northeast 85th Street for major construction work starting as early as June 14, 2025
As part of ongoing construction activities, Northeast 85th Street between Kirkland Way/114th Avenue Northeast and 120th Avenue Northeast will implement a new traffic alignment and nighttime lane closure starting as early as June 14, 2025. This will ensure the safety of crews and the traveling public while I-405 traffic is shifted to the direct access level. The lane shifts are not anticipated to affect the I-405 on and off ramps.
Residents and businesses near the project area may also continue to experience noise, dust, and vibration from construction work and equipment while crews complete work during these lane shifts.
Upcoming I-405 ramp and lane closures
Highway lane closures:
- Monday, June 9 to the morning of Friday, June 13 from 9:30 p.m. – 4:30 a.m.: The right lane of northbound I-405 will be closed between milepost 17.0 and milepost 20.0 for sign bridge preparation and barrier work.
- Monday, June 9 to the morning of Friday, June 13 nightly, from 8:00 p.m. – 4:30 a.m.: The right lane of southbound I-405 will be closed between milepost 20.0 and milepost 17.0 for electrical and barrier work.
Highway ramp closures:
- Monday, June 9 to the morning of Friday, June 13 nightly, from 11:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.: The northbound I-405 off-ramp to Northeast 85th Street will be closed for electrical work.
- Friday, June 13 to the morning of Monday, June 16 from 10:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m.: The southbound I-405 off-ramp to Northeast 85th Street will be closed for drainage installation.
Local street closures:
Monday, June 9 to Saturday, June 14 nightly 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.: The westbound and eastbound lanes of Northeast 85th Street from the northbound on-ramp to the southbound off-ramp will be closed nightly for stripping deck soffits and grading work
The project will replace the existing two-level interchange at Northeast 85th Street with a three-level interchange and construct local improvements along Northeast 85th Street and its intersection with 114th Avenue Northeast/Kirkland Way.
