Date:
Friday, August 18, 2006
Contact:
Travis Phelps, WSDOT Communications, (206) 440-4470 (Seattle)
Mia Waters, Acoustics Program Manager, (206) 440-4541 (Seattle)
LYNNWOOD – Noise is a common complaint along many of Washington’s highways. This weekend, crews will be repaving a two-mile section of southbound Interstate 5 near Lynnwood with two types of quieter pavement. These pavements are made of materials that help reduce the amount of highway noise generated by the tires of traveling vehicles.
Starting tonight and continuing through the weekend, drivers should expect nightly southbound I-5 lane closures between the Swamp Creek and 44th Street West interchanges near Lynnwood, as crews pave the highway with quieter asphalt.
Closures
Friday, August 18 – Crews will close up to three lanes of southbound I-5. The first lane will close at 8 p.m., the second lane at 10 p.m., and the third lane at midnight. All lanes will reopen by 8 a.m., Saturday.
Saturday, August 19 – Crews will close up to three lanes of southbound I-5. The first lane will close at 8 p.m., the second lane at 10 p.m., and the third lane at midnight. All lanes will reopen by 9 a.m., Sunday.
Sunday, August 20 - Crews will close up to three lanes of southbound I-5. The first lane will close at 8 p.m., the second lane at 10 p.m., and the third lane at midnight. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m., Monday. Crews will also close the SR 525 on-ramp to southbound I-5 from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday.
Crews will test two types of quieter pavement. Each type of quieter pavement has a different surface texture designed to absorb noise created as tires hum across the road surface.
Over the next five years, WSDOT engineers will study this section of roadway to see if quieter pavement can stand up to ever-changing driving conditions in the Pacific Northwest.
“The technology behind quieter pavement has improved greatly in the last decade,” said Acoustics Program Manager Mia Waters. “Over the next five years, we’ll test new types of quieter pavement for durability, noise reduction, and how well the noise reduction capabilities last over time.”
Although quieter pavements are used in many dry, warm states such as Arizona, California, and Texas, WSDOT engineers want to make sure the pavement can stand up to the Northwest’s unique driving climate.
“The challenge is to design pavements that reduce noise, while still providing a durable, smooth and safe driving surface,” said Waters. “The quieter pavements may not be able to handle heavy rain, snow, ice and studded tires as well as regular asphalt.”
This work is part of the current project to repave nearly nine miles of southbound I-5 between Lynnwood and Everett. 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.
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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