All I-90 lanes are open near Cle Elum following demolition of damaged westbound overpass

CLE ELUM – All lanes of Interstate 90 at exit 80 near Cle Elum reopened at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, following the removal of the damaged Bullfrog Road overpass. 

Contractor crews hired by the Washington State Department of Transportation worked nonstop over a 22-hour period under an emergency contract to remove the damaged portion of the overpass and reopen westbound I-90. The westbound overpass was damaged by an over-height load the night of Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Governor Bob Ferguson declared an emergency (PDF 134KB) in Kittitas County as a result of the damage. The emergency proclamation allows the state to seek federal funds and to expedite emergency contracting. 

WSDOT engineers are currently designing a replacement overpass. There will be additional temporary closures on westbound I-90 when construction begins. More information on timing will be available Monday. 

Next steps:

  • WSDOT bridge engineers are designing the new westbound overpass.
  • Once the design is complete, an emergency contractor will begin sourcing labor and construction materials to start work on the new overpass span.
  • WSDOT will have more information on the timeline to build the new westbound section of the overpass on Monday.  

Here's what travelers need to know:

  • The Bullfrog Road overpass is closed because the westbound section has been removed.
  • Eastbound I-90 travelers going to the Suncadia/Roslyn area need to use exit 85 to State Route 903.
  • Travelers on westbound I-90 needing access to south Bullfrog Road and Leisure Lane will detour to exit 78 and go east on I-90 to exit 80.
  • WSDOT will need to implement temporary closures for westbound I-90 to construct the new overpass. 

I-90 travel updates:

  • Check WSDOT’s real-time travel map.
  • Sign up for text message for delays exceeding 30 minutes on I-90 by texting "Start" to 85107.
  • Follow us on X/Twitter @SnoqualmiePass.

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