VIDEO: Geese Get an Escort off of Interstate 90 in Mercer Island

A few pedestrians got a special escort off as they walked along the Interstate 90 bridge Wednesday morning.

This morning, Washington State Patrol troopers helped a family of Canada geese safely off the Interstate 90 bridge eastbound between Bellevue and Mercer Island about 9 a.m. The geese started on the east end of the East Channel Bridge in Bellevue and the mother goose and her flock of goslings exited at East Mercer Way on Mercer Island, said Mike Murphy, spokesman of the Washington State Department of Transportation.

In addition to Patch, the flock's walk across the East Channel Bridge made national news, including the Washington Post.

Of course, the Washington State Department of Transportation posted a YouTube video of the fowl pedestrians as they were escorted off the road, as caught by a traffic camera.

Canada geese are traditionally migratory birds but a lack of natural predators along Lake Washington has seen a sharp rise in local populations. They are often considered pests due to their noise, biting and guano, which many believe contributes to elevated levels of bacteria on public beaches.

But not Mercer Island.

City council members cut funding last year for a U.S. Fish and Wildlife geese population control program contracted by several cities along Lake Washington — including Bellevue. The cut was intended to save money. 

No word yet on how closely the geese are watching city finances.