Date:
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Contact:
WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4788 (Seattle)
WSDOT Public Hotline, 206-440-4704 (Seattle)
I-5 Construction in Seattle Moves into Final Phase Tonight
Northbound I-5 Reduced to One Lane Tonight as Crews Move Barriers
SEATTLE – Thursday morning, drivers on northbound Interstate 5 will notice something a bit different as they pass through the construction zone just south of downtown Seattle. Overnight, crews will remove over 1,900 feet of concrete barrier on the northern end of the project as the largest construction closure in Washington State history moves into its final phase.
That means all lanes of I-5 north of the collector distributor will be open to traffic. But, northbound I-5 will still be reduced to two lanes south of the collector distributor. WSDOT continues to warn of large backups if drivers don’t help.
“We’re finished with much of the work on the north end of the project so we’re moving barrier and opening those lanes to drivers,” said Regional Administrator Lorena Eng. “But, this does not mean we’re giving drivers the green light to return to their normal driving habits. We could still see big backups if drivers don’t do their part.”
Construction
Crews continued to make good progress resurfacing lanes of I-5. They were able to repave 2,300 feet of roadway before their paving machine broke down at 7:15 p.m. Mechanics will repair the machine tonight, and crews will resume lane paving early tomorrow morning. Shoulder paving was not affected by the breakdown, and the project remains on schedule to be completed by 5 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 25.
Traffic
Tonight, crews will reduce northbound I-5 through the construction zone to one lane from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and direct all northbound I-5 traffic to the collector-distributor. Drivers will not be able to access the 4th Avenue and Seneca Street exits during this time.
Additionally, crews will close the Spokane Street/West Seattle Bridge and S. Columbian Way on-ramps to northbound I-5 will be closed Wednesday and Thursday nights from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Traffic backups on northbound I-5 steadily increased throughout the afternoon commute with the longest back-ups stretching to Albro Place. Drivers continued to experience delays of 20 to 30 minutes through the construction zone. Speeds through the construction zone averaged 10 mph for most of the afternoon.
Drivers can plan their route at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/SpokaneStreetBridgeRepair/AlternateRoutes.htm.
Keep track of construction work as it happens at: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/SpokaneStreetBridgeRepair/traffic.htm
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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