In 2022, Mercer Island voters approved a 16-year renewal of the parks levy, which continues funding for parks operations and maintenance in addition to funding playground replacements. The first playground scheduled for replacement is at Roanoke Park, with the public engagement process underway.

The City thanks community members who participated in last night's Roanoke Playground Virtual Public Meeting, where attendees helped weigh in on the design process. City staff and the consultant team presented results from the recent community survey, shared an updated site plan concept for the playground, and asked poll questions about swings and site amenities during the meeting.

Couldn’t make it to the meeting? You can still provide input: the poll questions are available on Let’s Talk where you can weigh in about the playground design. Responses will be collected through Wednesday, February 7, and will be combined with those received during the public meeting to inform the final site plan and equipment selection. You can learn more and submit your feedback on Let's Talk.

The Mercer Island School District is hosting a Zoom webinar for the community covering the District's budget, student enrollment, and staffing. Superintendent Dr. Fred Rundle will lead the webinar, which will include presentations from a variety of staff, on Tuesday, February 6 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm. The Zoom webinar will also be recorded and made available on the MISD website and YouTube channel. You can learn more about the webinar and how to participate on the MISD website.

Additionally, all district elementary schools are hosting school tours to offer prospective families a chance to explore elementary school options on the Island. The tours are open to both current families on Mercer Island or those considering a move to the Island and will be held on Thursday, February 8 and Wednesday, April 17 from 9:30am - 11:00am.

Emergency work on I-90 has caused delays and we know it’s been frustrating for drivers. Here’s what you need to know:

The right lane of eastbound I-90 between Mercer Island and Bellevue has been temporarily closed by WSDOT on an emergency basis due to a failing expansion joint on the East Channel Bridge. This emergency single-lane closure will be in place for the next few weeks as WSDOT prepares the area for temporary lane restriping in February - this will restore all four lanes of travel and allow for the joint to be replaced in 2025 (moved up from 2027). You can see a photo of the failing expansion joint on WSDOT's recent social media post.

This lane closure resulted in backups both on I-90 and on the Island. Fortunately, WSDOT completed emergency lane reconfigurations on I-90 which has helped improve congestion on the freeway, which in turn helps reduce backups on East Mercer Way and SE 36th Street.

We’re continuing to monitor this situation and relay updates to keep you informed. If possible, try to adjust your driving schedule over the next few weeks to avoid congested times and areas. We know it's a pain and appreciate your resilience as WSDOT completes this emergency work. You can learn more on our website alert.