Date:
Friday, July 07, 2006
Contact:
Jamie Holter, WSDOT Communications, (206) 440-4472 (Seattle)
SEATTLE - To help drivers better see the lanes on I-5 between Boeing Field and Lynnwood, WSDOT maintenance crews will be out in full force this weekend laying down white, lane-line paint.
Drivers should watch for WSDOT striping trucks, traffic control trucks and trucks with crash protection moving en masse northbound on I-5 between 4 a.m. and 11 a.m. Saturday. This same contingent will move southbound on Sunday from 4 a.m. to 11 a.m.
“We’re doing things a little differently this time around,” explained Steve Wehmeyer WSDOT Striping Supervisor. “To help keep traffic moving, we’re bringing extra crews over from Eastern Washington so we can do more work in less time.”
In addition, several rows of trucks will be staggered at 45 degree angles and stretch a mile back to provide a wide berth for the striping operations. Crews will paint stripes out of both sides of the truck. “Staggering our striping trucks in the same way we stagger our snow plows in the winter will help prevent drivers from crossing over into fresh paint. This will help reduce the risk that the industrial strength paint will get on your car and will help give the wet paint time to dry,” said Wehmeyer.
During this rolling operation, drivers may see up to three lanes blocked as crews move the paint trucks. Ramps may be closed. No closure will last longer than five minutes. “We’re doing this on weekend mornings when traffic volumes are lowest,” said Wehmeyer.
Striping crews cannot do their work at night because it is too dark, too cold and too humid. Warm, dry temperatures are needed to maximize the sticking power of the specialized paint.
“We’d greatly appreciate some help from I-5 drivers this weekend. Please give our work crews plenty of room and don’t change lanes across wet paint. It can damage your car and damage the lines,” said Wehmeyer.
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