Date:
Friday, December 22, 2006
Contact:
Stan Suchan, WSDOT Communications, (206) 440-4698 (Seattle)
Connie Lewis, WSDOT Communications, (425) 405-1796 (Everett)
EVERETT – In an effort to minimize traffic disruptions on the weekend of January 5 – 8, WSDOT and contractor Atkinson/CH2M Hill have come up with a way to complete scheduled paving work without closing lanes on I-5 through Everett. Crews originally determined they would not have enough room to safely pour concrete near the northbound I-5 on-ramp from 41st St. Today, the project team determined that re-striping the freeway lanes and completing other modifications could give construction crews the space they need to safely complete their work without closing a lane of I-5.
The on-ramp to northbound I-5 from 41st Street will still be closed for the entire weekend and a signed detour route will be provided. The ramp closure will begin at 10 p.m. on Friday, January 5 and the ramp will be reopened by 5 a.m. Monday, January 8.
The ramp closure is one of several pending closures necessary as crews widen I-5 through Everett and add northbound and southbound HOV lanes. During the January 5 -8 weekend, crews will pour concrete in preparation for the opening of the new 41st Street northbound on-ramp. This work requires a weekend long ramp closure because crews will need at least 24 hours for the concrete to cure plus time for related work.
Temperatures above freezing and fairly dry conditions are necessary for the concrete to set properly. If weather conditions require, crews may be forced to postpone the work.
Drivers can plan ahead for this and other construction closures by visiting the construction update report for Snohomish County at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Northwest/Snohomish/Construction or by calling 5-1-1.
A look ahead
Other weekend lane closures on I-5 are tentatively scheduled in January, February and March. These closures are also weather dependant and could be shifted to the next available dry weekend.
January - February
• Westbound US 2 ramp to southbound I-5 and the southbound right lane of I-5 from US 2 to Pacific Ave.
• Ramp from northbound I-5 to eastbound US 2 and the right lane of I-5.
March
• On southbound I-5, the right lane in the vicinity of 41st St. and the exit ramp from southbound I-5 to 41st Street.
April
• Exit ramp from southbound I-5 to Everett Ave/eastbound US 2 and the auxiliary lane.
May
• On southbound I-5, the right lane and the on-ramp from Pacific Ave.
• On northbound I-5, the right lane in the vicinity of Pacific Avenue and exit ramp from northbound I-5 to Pacific Avenue
This work is part of WSDOT’s $260 million project to widen I-5 through Everett. The project is expected to be complete by summer 2008. More information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/HOVSR526toUS2.
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