SNOQUALMIE – The big mound of dirt present at the Interstate 90-State Route 18 interchange is exactly that: a big mound of dirt.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is using the site as a means to dispose of dirt excavated for its I-90 Sunset Interchange project, said Project Engineer Matt Preedy.

WSDOT is constructing the new interchange east of Issaquah to accommodate traffic for Port Blakely Communities’ Issaquah Highlands development and to help ease congestion near Issaquah for those traveling between the city and Fall City.

Preedy said that instead of having a contractor dispose of the dirt removed from the Sunset Interchange project, it is being moved east to I-90’s Exit 25, where it will be formed into a large mound. He said by doing that, the department will save about $300,000.

When the mound is completed, Preedy said it will be planted with grass.