Date:
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Contact:
Patty Michaud, WSDOT Communications, (425) 405-1785 (Everett), cell (206) 786-4079
Connie Lewis, WSDOT Communications, (425) 405-1796 (Everett), cell (425) 471-4222
EVERETT – Mother Nature finally provided the dry weather needed for crews to re-stripe and open two miles of new carpool lane on southbound I-5 between Lowell Road. It’s a special treat for carpoolers, vanpoolers and transit just in time for the Valentine’s Day morning commute. The new lane will save carpoolers up to five minutes during the morning commute.
The two-mile carpool extension is the first segment of more than 10 new miles scheduled for completion this spring. As the sun returns and flowers begin to bloom, crews will open the remaining 2.6 miles of southbound carpool lanes in two phases, between 41st Street and Lowell Road and Marine View Drive to 41st Street. Drivers can also look forward to six miles of northbound carpool lanes between SR 526 and US 2.
“We have several more surprises that will help all travelers on I-5 in Everett,” said Project Director Mike Cotten. “As the project begins to wrap up, the pace is quickening and more new lanes and ramps will open this spring.”
A new look for the Broadway entrance to southbound I-5
Drivers familiar with the Broadway Avenue entrance to southbound I-5 will notice a change in the merge. Previously, drivers using this entrance ramp could stay in the same right lane until they exited to SR 526. Now drivers will immediately merge with the mainline I-5 traffic this weekend.
“We need the space to complete the widening along the right side of southbound I-5 through this section of road,” said Cotten. ”Drivers will continue see crews in the area into spring.”
What else is on the horizon?
As crews close in on the project’s finish line, they are also preparing for more challenges resulting from damage caused by a third party. In December 2006, a private party truck hauling an excavator, struck and severely damaged a girder on the I-5 southbound bridge passing over Pacific Avenue. Crews will replace the girder in March and April. While the bridge has been temporarily repaired to allow traffic to safely pass over and under it, crews must replace the girder to permanently fix the bridge.
“Since our crews are already working in the area, having them do the work now is the most efficient way to get the necessary repairs done,” said Cotten.
Since fall 2005, crews on the Everett HOV freeway expansion project have been working to widen I-5 with additional lanes through Everett.
The $263 million project is scheduled to be complete by June 2008. Find out more about the I-5 Everett HOV freeway expansion project by visiting www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/HOVSR526toUS2/.
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