As construction progresses on the Downtown Snoqualmie Infrastructure project, traffic headaches for drivers continue, especially during school commute times when Railroad Ave is heavily traveled.
This week, as lane closures backed up traffic for over a half-mile to Snoqualmie Parkway, the City of Snoqualmie issued a project update and apology to the Snoqualmie Valley School District. The city stated they understand the frustration and “we greatly apologize for the inconvenience.”
City Infrastructure Upgrades Needed
The infrastructure improvement project includes many critical and needed upgrades to Snoqualmie’s utility infrastructure, including water and sewer mains, storm drainage systems, and moving power, cable and telephone lines underground. It’s lane closures for this work that is slowing traffic more than anticipated in earlier project press releases.
The city says “As a result of the project, city infrastructure services will be of the highest standards and continued downtown revitalization will benefit residents, businesses, and visitors.”
Lane Closures Continue into 2015
The one-lane closures along Railroad Ave will continue as crews finish installing the sewer main and underground utilities. According to a new press release, 
the city is making all attempts to expedite the work “to the greatest extent possible,” but it is expected that the intermittent, weekday lane closures will last the duration of project, which is estimated to be complete in May 2015.
SE Millpond Road is an alternative route during peak traffic times. This route will bypass downtown Snoqualmie on the opposite side of the Snoqualmie River.
Traffic Alert: Full-Street Closure Week of October 27th
On the nights of October 27th – October 30th, there will be an intermittent, full-street closure on Railroad Ave at SE Fir St – between 10PM and 6AM for installation of utilities.
This will cause possible traffic delays of up to 30 minutes in northbound and southbound directions. Drivers can detour by using I-90 between exit 25 and exit 27 or by using SE Millpond Road.
Support Businesses Open During Construction
The City of Snoqualmie is asking residents to support downtown Snoqualmie businesses during the construction project, as restaurants and shops rely on residents’ patronage. A public parking lot at King Street is open for patrons visiting Historic Snoqualmie businesses during the project.
[The infrastructure improvement project is being funded by the City of Snoqualmie, Federal Highway Administration, Housing & Urban Development, Washington State Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program, Washington State Department of Transportation and Transportation Improvement Board state fuel tax.]
