Date:
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Contact:
Victoria Tobin, WSDOT Communications, (425) 405-1785 (Everett)
Connie Lewis, WSDOT Communications, (425) 405-1796 (Everett)
EVERETT – Drivers returning from extended Labor Day vacations will experience delays through Everett Tuesday night as crews completely close both directions of Interstate 5 to set bridge girders for the new 41st Street Bridge. Nighttime closures will continue through early Friday morning, and possibly into early Saturday morning.
Crews successfully set 10 of the 82-ton girders in place last week, and will secure the remaining 15 girders next week. Placement of the girders is a significant milestone in rebuilding the 41st Street Bridge in Everett, which is scheduled to reopen by Thanksgiving.
Where are the closures?
I-5 in Everett between Broadway Avenue and just north of 41st Street.
When are the closures?
Tuesday, September 5 – Thursday, September 7: Northbound and southbound I-5 will be completely closed between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. the following morning. If necessary, crews will close the freeway again on Friday, September 8 to complete the work.
What are the detours?
Northbound I-5: Exit at Broadway Avenue (exit #192), take an immediate right at the bottom of the ramp to loop up to Cascade View Bridge, then curve to the left and go straight back to northbound I-5.
Southbound I-5: Exit at 41st Street, move to the right lane and take the I-5 southbound ramp down to Broadway Avenue. Cross Broadway onto left lane and continue to southbound I-5.
We need drivers’ help. Major I-5 closures are difficult, and even with crews working off-peak hours, freeway backups can occur. To keep drivers safe, crews must detour traffic off the freeway and completely close both directions of I-5. We ask that drivers alter their late night and early morning commutes accordingly to reduce significant delays. Neighbors living close to the construction or detour routes may be bothered by night noise, lighting and detour traffic.
The new bridge girders, fabricated by Tacoma Washington’s Concrete Technologies, are part of a $260 million project to expand I-5 through Everett. When complete in June 2008, drivers will have an additional lane in both directions on I-5 between 41st and US 2, an expanded HOV lane between SR 526 and East Marine View Drive, a new I-5/41st Street Interchange, and dozens of new safety, traffic flow and environmental improvements.
Find more information about the I-5 Everett Freeway Expansion project by visiting the project Web page at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i5/hovsr526tous2/ or sign up for WSDOT Snohomish County project updates delivered right to your e-mail inbox by visiting www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/NorthWest/Snohomish/Snohomish_Listserve.htm
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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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