When the U.S. Navy Blue Angels jets begin zipping over Lake Washington this week, drivers won’t be cruising across the Interstate 90 floating bridge at the same time.

During the practice flights and air show, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will close all lanes and several ramps of I-90 between I-5 in Seattle and Island Crest Way on Mercer Island several times between Thursday, Aug. 4, and Sunday, Aug. 7. Drivers should expect congestion and plan ahead. Additionally, there are two scheduled openings of the State Route 520 floating bridge.

To avoid congestion, drivers who want to cross Lake Washington via I-90 should plan to get to the bridge at least an hour ahead of the closures and consider using alternate routes such as I-405, SR 520 or I-5.

No stopping or parking is allowed on the floating bridges. By closing I-90, WSDOT is complying with Federal Aviation Administration rules to create a safer environment for motorists and Blue Angels pilots by reducing distractions to both.

I-90 closures

- Thursday, Aug. 4: Crews will close the bridge from 9:45 a.m. to noon and again from 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. during the Blue Angels practice sessions. The center roadway closes at 9 a.m. It will reopen to eastbound traffic by 3:30 p.m.

- Friday, Aug. 5: Crews will close the bridge from 12:45 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. during the Blue Angels’ practice sessions. The center roadway closes at 10:45 a.m. It will reopen to eastbound traffic by 3:30 p.m.

- Saturday, Aug. 6, and Sunday, Aug. 7: Crews will close the bridge from 12:45 p.m. to 2:40 p.m. each day for the full air shows. The center roadway closes at 10:45 a.m. It will reopen to eastbound traffic by 3:30 p.m. each day.

The bicycle and pedestrian path on the I-90 floating bridge will be closed to pedestrians and cyclists up to 30 minutes prior to posted closure times.

I-90 ramp closures (Seattle and Mercer Island):

- Northbound I-5 to eastbound I-90 ramp (closed up to 30 minutes prior to show or practice)
- Southbound I-5 to eastbound I-90 ramp (closed up to 30 minutes prior to show or practice)
- Southbound and northbound Rainier Avenue ramps to I-90 (closed up to 30 minutes prior to show or practice)
- 76th Avenue Northeast to westbound I-90 (closed up to 30 minutes prior to show or practice)
- Island Crest Way to westbound I-90 (closed up to 30 minutes prior to show or practice)
- Eastbound I-90 to West Mercer Way (closed up to 30 minutes prior to show or practice)
- East Mercer Way to westbound I-90 (closed up one hour prior to show or practice)
- West Mercer Way to westbound I-90 (closed up to one hour prior to show or practice)

The exits from westbound I-90 to Island Crest Way and East Mercer Way on Mercer Island will remain open, although drivers should expect heavy congestion.

Scheduled SR 520 bridge drawspan openings
On Friday, Aug. 5, and Sunday, Aug. 7, traffic on the SR 520 floating bridge will be stopped to allow the Army tug, The Major General Henry Knox, through the drawspan. Otherwise, the SR 520 bridge will remain open to vehicle traffic during the I-90 closures and boat traffic needing access to the SR 520 drawspan will be delayed.

Friday, Aug. 5 – The drawspan will open at 9 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes while the tug travels to the south end of Lake Washington.

Sunday, Aug. 7 – The drawspan will open at 11 a.m. for approximately 30 minutes while the tug travels to the north side of the drawspan.

The tugboat is participating in Seafair activities on Lake Washington and does not fit under the SR 520 highrises. Federal maritime regulations require WSDOT to open the bridge on weekends with a minimum of two hours notice from 9 p.m. Fridays through 5 a.m. Mondays. Drivers will be alerted to the drawspan openings via electronic signs on highways leading to the bridge.