Date:
Friday, June 23, 2006
Contact:
Allen Hendy, Vancouver Assistant Area Engineer, (360) 905-1522
Alissa Bateman, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2078
VANCOUVER – Due to the combination of increased traffic volumes and extreme temperatures anticipated this weekend, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has cancelled the complete closure of I-5 southbound and the NE 179th Street on ramp that was scheduled to take place this weekend.
Traffic volumes have been increasing along this busy stretch of I-5, and are expected to remain at high levels this weekend. To avoid major traffic delays in unusually hot weather, WSDOT has postponed the complete closure of the highway. The safety and health of the traveling public are always a priority for the WSDOT. “The health and safety of crews and the public of are our foremost priorities," said Casey Liles, WSDOT's Vancouver Area Engineer. "We are doing what we can to prevent motorists from being delayed in traffic under the extreme temperatures anticipated this weekend. We don’t want to have people sitting in back-ups due to construction, if we can prevent it, and this time we can prevent it,” he added.
A double-lane closure between will still take place tonight, June 23, beginning at 10 p.m. between Ridgefield and NE 179th Street. The lanes will open by 8 a.m. Saturday morning, June 24. No other traffic impacts are anticipated this weekend within the project area. Crews will resume normally scheduled work Monday, June 26. WSDOT reminds motorists that a reduced speed limit of 55 mph is in affect and strictly enforced in this work zone. For this and all other WSDOT project-related traffic impacts, please visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/SouthWest/Construction/default.htm.
The complete closure was originally scheduled so crews working on the I-5, I-205 to North Fork Lewis River Concrete Rehabilitation project could safely repair damaged concrete panels in the middle lane at the I-5/I-205 split, and so motorists could safely travel through the work zone near the split.
WSDOT thanks motorists for their patience and increased caution as we work to improve our roadway system. For more information about the I-5, I-205 to North Fork Lewis River Concrete Rehabilitation project, please visit the Web page: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/NorthForkLewisRiverBridge/.
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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.
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