Westbound I-90 traffic between Cle Elum and Keechelus Lake (Seattle: camping, affordable housing)

[xboxmas]

Are they ever going to expand the freeway between Cle Elum and the Keechelus Lake area? It seems like the traffic has gotten worse on the weekends (especially in the summer). I don't remember it being this bad even 10 years ago. When you go past Cle Elum it is stop and go until you get to the Keechelus Lake wildlife bridge where there are now three lanes instead of two. Then it is smooth sailing until you get to Issaquah/Bellevue where traffic picks up again. It looks like there is more than enough room to add a Westbound lane. I feel like that would make a huge difference.

Am I just not remembering correctly, or has it always been this bad on weekends? I rarely see the traffic backed up going Eastbound- which makes sense since there are less people on the Eastern side of the state.

[Hemlock140]

It's been bad on weekends from now through August since we have driven it, both directions, that's about 30 years now. Mostly recreational trips for camping, going to Leavenworth or Lake Chelan via highway 97. We go to the fruit stands in Thorp and stop in Ellensburg for a Dutch Bros drink and/or maybe ice cream at Winegar's. In addition, there are people that we know and probably many more that have moved out that way from the Issaquah/Bellevue area for the more affordable housing, and are telecommuting, but may have to drive in 1-2 days a week to the office. They will also be driving in to visit Costco and other amenities in Issaquah as needed on some weekends. I ran into someone from Ellensburg once at the Swedish Hospital (Issaquah Highlands) where they went regularly for treatment.

[jabogitlu]

Interesting that the Eastside almost has an exurb in Cle Elum.

[dozerbear]

Yes, traffic has gotten substantially worse in the past 10 years or so, Sunday afternoons especially. And yes WSDOT is adding a lane each direction from the wildlife overpass to exit 70 down in Easton. Projected finish isn't until fall of 2029 though. And there are no current plans to widen any farther east.

[Brookdale46]

I left Cle Elum for the 206 one Sunday afternoon before Covid and vowed never to do it again. Being retired, I have the choice to visit the Cle Elum, Roslyn, Suncadia area, which I enjoy, mid-week. And now another large development is planned for Cle Elum. Avoid weekends if at all possible.

[dosware]

A little late to the discussion, but as a Yakima area resident with family in Seattle, I often drive the I-90 in the opposite direction of Seattlle-ites on the weekend (i.e., West on Sat morning and East on Sunday afternoon) and always marvel at the traffic flowing in the opposite direction. During winter-month Sat mornings, I usually see hundreds (?thousands?) of SUV's with roof box/ ski carriers flowing in the opposite (East) direction around Suncadia area and closer to Seatlle. Driving East to Yakima on Sun, it looks like a mess of stop-and-go traffic flowing West. I do hope they add extra lanes eventually.