Date:
Monday, December 11, 2006
Contact:
Travis Phelps, WSDOT Communications, (206) 440-4470
Pat Moylan, Maintenance and Operations Manager, (206) 440-4566
EVERETT – This morning, crews began making temporary repairs on the southbound Interstate 5 bridge over Pacific Avenue in Everett. While the repair work is slowing cross-town traffic in Everett, drivers traveling on southbound I-5 will likely not notice the work.
For the next several weeks, drivers can expect daily single lane closures on Pacific Avenue between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Depending on the amount of work crews can accomplish, some nighttime total closures of Pacific Avenue may be required on weekends.
Monday through Thursday of this week, drivers can expect total closures of Pacific Avenue between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. All lanes of I-5 will remain open during this work. Crews working on the I-5 Everett Freeway Expansion project will be working to relocate a city water line.
On Friday, Dec. 1, an overheight vehicle struck the bridge and damaged two bridge girders. WSDOT bridge engineers immediately examined the bridge girders and determined it was safe for traffic. However, due to the damaged girders, crews have restricted overweight semi-trucks greater than 105,500 pounds on all lanes of southbound I-5. Once the temporary repairs are complete, WSDOT will remove the overweight load restriction.
While WSDOT bridge engineers have thoroughly examined the damage, they have not yet confirmed a preliminary price tag for the permanent damage repairs nor have they estimated required lane closures on Pacific Avenue or I-5.
“So far we have only partial estimates.” said WSDOT Maintenance and Operations Manager Pat Moylan. “The permanent repairs, which have yet to be scheduled, could be as expensive as a million dollars or more and may require lane closures. This largely depends upon how many girders will need to be replaced rather than repaired and the time needed to complete the work.”
Moylan added, “While we will do everything we can to recover repair costs from those who are liable, it is still too soon to tell who is liable for the damage. WSDOT is working closely with the Washington State Patrol Commercial Vehicle Division and the Everett Police Department to determine who is at fault.”
More information can be found on WSDOT’s I-5 Everett Expansion and HOV Project Web site.
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