Date:
Friday, February 24, 2006
Contact:
Victoria Tobin, Public Information, 206.786.4079 (office mobile)
Connie Lewis, Community Outreach, 425.471.4222 (mobile)
EVERETT – WSDOT and Atkinson-CH2M Hill, will slow down traffic each night next week on Interstate 5 in Everett to allow utility crews to safely restring utility wires and cables near 36th Street. The slow downs are in addition to nightly construction work where crews close northbound and southbound I-5 down to one lane in each direction.
Crews will conduct the rolling slowdowns with the assistance of the Washington State Patrol. Drivers can expect northbound I-5 delays near State Route 526, southbound delays near SR 529, and westbound US 2 delays near SR 204. Several ramps will be closed temporarily during the rolling slowdown including ramps to southbound I-5 (Marine View Drive, US 2, Pacific Avenue and US 2 via Home Acres Road) and ramps to northbound I-5 (41st and SR 526). Flaggers will be posted at these ramps to stop and release traffic.
Crews will work as quickly as possible. Hanging the utilities should only take a few minutes, but drivers should expect up to fifteen minute delays.
The following are the days and an estimated time for each of next week’s rolling slowdowns:
- Monday, Feb. 27 – one rolling slowdown around midnight
- Tuesday, Feb. 28 – one rolling slowdown around 2:30 a.m.
- Wednesday, March 1 – three rolling slowdowns at approximately 11:30 p.m., 1 a.m., and 2:30 a.m.
- Thursday, March 2 – two rolling slowdowns at approximately midnight and 1:30 a.m.
These rolling slow downs are needed to keep drivers and workers safe as crews relocate and restring utility cables and wires. Relocating dozens of utilities, including fiber optic cables and phone lines, are just part of the I-5 Everett Freeway expansion project under construction in Everett.
When this project is complete in June 2008, drivers will have an additional lane in both directions on I-5 between 41st and US 2, an expanded HOV lane between SR 526 and East Marine View Drive, new I-5/41st Street Interchange, new right-hand Broadway Avenue flyover exit bridge, and dozens of new safety, traffic flow and environmental improvements. For more project information, please visit the project Web page at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/HOVSR526toUS2/
###
Drivers can now get real time traffic and weather information by dialing 5-1-1 from most phones. This new traveler information system builds upon the highly successful Washington State Highway hotline that managed 4.6 million calls each year. Callers can also use 5-1-1 to get statewide construction, mountain pass condition, and state ferry system information, as well as toll free numbers for passenger rail and airlines. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.
< Back to News Home