Date:
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Contact:
Casey Liles, Area Engineer, (360) 905-1537 (Vancouver)
Chris Edwards, Assistant Area Engineer, (360) 905-1501 (Vancouver)
Sylvia Ross, WSDOT Communications, (360) 902-2058 (Vancouver)
Alissa Bateman, WSDOT Communications, (360) 905-2078 (Vancouver)
VANCOUVER – The I-5 Widening Project, which expands the interstate from two lanes to four lanes in each direction in the Salmon Creek vicinity, is now within weeks of completion and on schedule. The progress is accompanied by two weekend closures of I-5, which signalize the approach of the project completion. During each closure, the interstate will be closed between State Route 500 and the I-205 junction. Complete closures include:
- Sept. 17, 12 a.m. to Sept. 17 at 8 p.m.: I-5 southbound for preliminary paving work
- Sept. 29, 10 p.m. to Oct. 2 at 5 a.m.: I-5 northbound and southbound for final paving and striping
During the I-5 southbound closure, traffic will be directed to an alternate route via I-205, connecting to SR 500. On and off ramps along I-5 southbound will also be affected.
During the full closure, motorists traveling southbound on I-5 will be directed to an alternate route via I-205 southbound. Motorists traveling northbound on I-5 are advised to use SR 14 or SR 500 eastbound to I-205 northbound. On and off ramps in both directions will be affected.
This work is weather sensitive and in the event of rain, the closures will be postponed until the next available weekend.
During the closures, construction crews will complete grinding, paving, and striping work, along with the final barrier movement and signing work. Landscaping and permanent striping will be completed in the spring, when conditions are favorable.
Complete closures will allow crews to safely complete the work, while minimizing the possibility of additional traffic impacts. WSDOT has scheduled these closures around major events in the area, such as amphitheatre events.
The I-5 Widening Project was funded by the 2003 Nickel Account. The completed project yields increased capacity and congestion relief on I-5 between NE 99th Street and NE 134th Street by widening the interstate from two to three lanes in each direction, plus an auxiliary lane. In addition, the NE 129th Street overpass and the Salmon Creek/NE 117th Street bridges were replaced with ones that meet current design, safety and seismic standards.
This project will be functionally complete, with all of the new lanes open to traffic starting after the conclusion of the final closure on the morning of October 2, dry-weather permitting.
Advanced warning signs will be posted ahead of the closure, and motorists are asked to please slow down and use caution when driving through the construction zone. Motorists are also reminded that all traffic fines are doubled within a construction work zone when workers are present (RCW 46.61.527).
For more information about the I-5 Widening project, please visit the Web page:
www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/SalmonCreektoi205/.
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Editor’s Note: Due to space limitations around the work zone, guided media tours and interviews will be provided to any interested members of the media. To arrange for a guided tour through the construction zone, contact Sylvia Ross at (360) 905-2058 or Alissa Bateman at (360) 905-2078.
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