Date:  Monday, August 06, 2007

Contact: Meghan Soptich, WSDOT Communications, 206.440.4455 (Seattle)

SEATTLE – Are you ready? At 10 p.m. this Friday, August 10, WSDOT crews will begin closing up to three northbound lanes on I-5 between the West Seattle Bridge and I-90 for 19 days. Crews will replace worn expansion joints and repave this vital section of freeway.

The work on northbound I-5 will require some of the most extensive lane and ramp closures Seattle drivers have ever seen. Today, WSDOT released additional information to help drivers before and during construction:

Construction staging and closure diagrams: Freeway lane and ramp closures will vary as construction progresses. The lane and ramp closures are divided into five stages, each stage with a different configuration. Drivers can use the diagrams to plan their trip or to learn what to expect before they get behind the wheel of their car. Estimated closure dates for specific lanes and ramps are now available on WSDOT’s Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/i5/SpokaneStreetBridgeRepair/TrafficEffects.htm

Public hotline: Today, WSDOT opened a telephone hotline at 206-440-4704 for questions about upcoming freeway closures and feedback on the project. From August 6-9, staff will answer the hotline between 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; from August 9 until the construction is complete staff will generally answer the hotline between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Call 206-440-4704 or e-mail i5Seattle@wsdot.wa.gov for information or to provide feedback.

Reducing driver distraction: During the construction, crews will install a 6 foot tall green screen to block views of the construction crews at work and help drivers keep their attention focused on the road. However, drivers may smell unusual odors as crews lay down polyester pavement. Find more surprising information on our project fact sheet at www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/719364DE-60C7-4135-A86B-898B650DA491/0/did_you_know_85x11.pdf (pdf 63 kb)

Find out more on our Web site: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/SpokaneStreetBridgeRepair/default.htm

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