Date:
Friday, July 07, 2006
Contact:
Marlin Lennsen, Project Engineer, (425) 225-8770 (Everett)
Travis Phelps, WSDOT Communications, (206) 440-4470 (Seattle)
EVERETT – Starting Monday July 10, crews will begin repaving almost nine miles of southbound I-5 from Everett to Lynnwood and the Swamp Creek Interchange.
Crews will begin closing southbound lanes as early as 7 p.m. Monday though Thursday nights. Up to three lanes will be closed by 11 p.m. Crews may also close lanes during these times on Saturday and Sunday nights.
“To avoid affecting daytime traffic, the majority of construction will take place at night,” said Project Engineer Marlin Lenssen. “But we will still need drivers' help to keep traffic moving. There could be significant backups at night if drivers don't take alternate routes.”
We ask drivers to help during construction by:
- planning before you go
- checking real-time traffic information by calling 511 or visiting our Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/seattle
- taking alternate routes
- carpooling
- riding the bus
- allowing extra time
This is the first major paving improvement on this section of I-5 in a decade. More than 98,000 vehicles travel on this stretch of highway each day, and as a result of this heavy traffic, the pavement in this area is worn and damaged.
In addition to the paving work, crews will improve the 44th Avenue West interchange in Lynnwood by repaving the existing ramps, extending and widening the on-ramp to southbound I-5, upgrading lighting and adding guardrail.
As part of this project, we will also install nearly two miles of quieter pavement between the Swamp Creek and 44th Street interchanges to evaluate its effectiveness and durability over the next five years. WSDOT engineers are testing quieter pavement to see how it will hold up to the Northwest's driving and weather conditions.
Crews expect to finish the majority of the paving work by fall 2006. However, this work is weather dependent, and crews may need to return in 2007 to finish some final paving work and place permanent roadway striping.
This $8.1 million project is partially funded with $2.5 million from the 2003 Nickel Gas Tax. For more information please visit the project Web site at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/52ndW_SR526_Safety
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