Date:
Monday, December 04, 2006
Contact:
Susan Babic, WSDOT Traffic Control Supervisor, (253) 983-7597
Kelly Stowe, WSDOT Communications, (360) 357-2716
TACOMA – Preliminary demolition work on three bridges over I-5 will not require the on-ramp closures that were previously scheduled for tonight through Tuesday morning. But crews will go ahead with the lane closures.
After a successful evening Sunday, the contractor was able to do enough work that the on-ramp closures originally planned at Pacific Avenue, the SR 7 extension and I-705 will not be necessary.
Starting at 9 tonight, crews will begin closing the three left lanes of southbound I-5 in stages between the SR 16 curve and I-705. The lanes will reopen at 5 a.m. Tuesday.
On Sunday evening crews closed all but the far-right lane of northbound I-5 between SR 16 curve and I-705. They also closed the ramp from eastbound SR 16 to northbound I-5.
The three city bridges will be demolished to make room for WSDOT’s I-5 widening through downtown. The first stage of bridge demolition is already complete, and the second phase is tentatively scheduled for January. WSDOT will replace the three bridges with two new bridges built to modern standards, with sidewalks, space for bicyclists, and wider lanes and shoulders.
The widening project is scheduled for completion in spring 2008. For more information about the I-5, South 48th to Pacific Avenue project, go to: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/PierceCountyHOV/I5_HOV_S48th_Pacific/.
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