For students driving to Seattle for mid-semester break this weekend, the Washington State Department of Transportation has the following response: “Bad move.”

Due to repairs on deteriorating pavement between milepost 70 and milepost 80 on I-90, only one lane will be open to westbound traffic, with possible delays of one to three hours Friday during the high traffic period of 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Those traveling Saturday can expect similar delays.   Sunday, two westbound lanes will be open, with only one eastbound lane available.

“[We] waited until after Labor Day so that the traffic counts were down,” said Doug Williams, a WSDOT spokesman. “We’re working 24/7 right now, hoping to get it done before winter strikes.”

First-year Emily Woolley has driven to and from Seattle four weekends this semester to ride and show her horse.   She said driving from eastern Washington to Seattle can be tedious, though not always. Two of her four trips were delayed.

“It really depends on when you hit it,” she said.

Allen and Peggy Sue Juergens, parents of senior Maryn Juergens, had no trouble driving from Seattle to Walla Walla last Friday. But the one lane going to Seattle was a different story.

“[I-90W] was really backed up, even at 9 p.m.,” said Mrs. Juergens.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed by President Obama in February 2009, funded the repairs under the I-90 Lake Easton Vicinity to Bullfrog Road Interchange Westbound Project. Initial funding was for $21.2 million, but the WSDOT now estimates the project will cost $18.4 million.

Construction began in July, but only at night to limit traffic jams impact during the summer.

If all goes according to schedule, repairs should be complete before November. Another round of construction is scheduled for spring 2010.

Before departing, travelers can check the WSDOT Web site for live traffic video and expected congestion times. On the road, dial 511 or tune in to 1610 AM for the Highway Advisory Radio for updates.