Date:  Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Contact: WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4788 (Seattle)
WSDOT Public Hotline, 206-440-4704 (Seattle)

SEATTLE – For the second workday in a row, traffic volumes remain lighter than normal with minimal backups during the afternoon commute through the northbound I-5 construction zone in Seattle. However, traffic volumes on I-5 and two key alternate routes increased over Monday’s afternoon and early evening commute. Compared to Monday, afternoon and evening volumes increased 10 percent on I-5 at Boeing Access Road, seven percent on SR 99 at the First Avenue S. Bridge and four percent on I-405 in north Renton.

“Our experience with construction projects tells us that traffic volumes increase as drivers adjust their routes and travel choices," said WSDOT Regional Administrator Lorena Eng, “We appreciate the great job drivers are doing and need them to keep it up by taking alternate routes, carpooling, using transit, and avoiding or rescheduling trips."

Drivers are playing another crucial role in minimizing congestion. WSDOT engineers observed drivers being attentive and leaving ample space between them and the vehicles ahead. This has led to few work zone collisions.

Ongoing Construction
Later Tuesday evening crews expect to complete paving a 1600-foot section on the east half of northbound I-5 between Lander and Holgate streets. Crews continue to work on expansion joints and have replaced 23 expansion joints on the east half of the work zone.

Crews are a day or two ahead of schedule. Exactly how far ahead of schedule will depend on the pace of paving Wednesday, when crews will move to pave the east half of I-5 between the I-90 exit and the I-90 bridge over I-5. Keep track of construction work as it happens at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/SpokaneStreetBridgeRepair/traffic.htm.

During the 19-day around-the-clock closure, crews working for Concrete Barrier Inc. will break apart old concrete surrounding 34 old, worn-out expansion joints, install new expansion joints and repave 1.13 miles of northbound I-5 between Spokane St and I-90.

For project details, resources available to get drivers through these closures, and suggestions for alternate routes, please visit the project Web site at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/SpokaneStreetBridgeRepair/

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