Date:
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Contact:
Stanley Eng, Project Engineer, (253) 872-2958 (Kent)
Greg Phipps, WSDOT Communications, (206) 440-4702 (Seattle)
SEATTLE – Drivers should expect delays this week as crews close lanes and ramps for pavement repairs and improvements associated with WSDOT’s Interstate 5 widening project in Federal Way.
Ramp closures
At 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, crews will close the southbound I-5 ramp to eastbound State Route 18. The ramp will reopen by 5 a.m. Wednesday.
At 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12, we will close westbound SR 18 ramp to southbound I-5 and the northbound I-5 ramp to westbound SR 18. Both ramps will reopen by 5 a.m. Thursday.
At 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 13, crews will close the eastbound SR 18 ramp to northbound I-5 the southbound I-5 ramp to westbound SR 18. Both ramps will reopen by 5 a.m. Friday.
All ramp closures are for emergency shoulder repairs. Crews will provide signed detours for the closures. Drivers should expect delays and consider alternate routes.
Lane closures
On Tuesday, July 11; Wednesday, July 12; and Thursday, July 13; crews will close three lanes nightly on northbound and southbound I-5 between S. 320th Street and the Pierce County line.
At 7 p.m. nightly crews will close one northbound lane. Three lanes will be closed by 11 p.m., reducing northbound I-5 to one lane of traffic. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. each following morning.
At 8 p.m. nightly crews will close one southbound lane. Three lanes will be closed by midnight. All lanes will reopen by 7 a.m. each following morning.
During the lane closures crews will extend the life of the freeway pavement by grinding the pavement to create a smoother driving surface with improved traction, and by installing steel bars to lock concrete panels together and keep bumps from returning.
WSDOT and contractor Icon Materials are teaming up to reduce congestion and improve safety on this busy stretch of I-5 by widening the freeway from eight to 10 lanes. For more information or to sign up for weekly project e-mail updates, visit the project Web page at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/hovPiercetoTukwila/i5HOV_Pierce_S320th.
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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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