Date:
Friday, April 25, 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 – Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor hail could stop I-5 Everett crews from reaching their goal of opening all 10 new miles of HOV lanes by the end of April. On Saturday morning, April 26, they will open the last segment of the new northbound HOV lane between SR 526 and US 2. Transit, carpoolers and vanpoolers headed north on I-5 will now cruise in a dedicated lane from Seattle to Everett.
“Our crews were poised to take advantage of any dry weather opportunity this week,” said Project Director Mike Cotten. “When the rain stopped, they were ready to stripe. We’re thrilled to reach this major milestone on the project ahead of schedule.”
Afternoon commuters on the six new miles of northbound HOV lane will save eight minutes as they head into Everett. Crews also opened the last segment of the southbound I-5 HOV lane earlier this week. The new 4.6 mile carpool lane will save morning commuters five minutes as they head out of Everett.
"Crews still have a lot of work to do but they are on track to have all lanes and ramps open to traffic next month," said Cotten.
More openings coming as crews race ahead
I-5 Everett crews are racing forward to have all lanes and ramps open to traffic by June. However, drivers can expect minor work to continue through summer:
May
open new I-5 northbound HOV exit to Broadway Avenue
open new I-5 southbound HOV on-ramp from Broadway Avenue
open new southbound I-5 on-ramp from 41st Street
June - August
new traffic cameras and ramp meters
permanent striping
replace aging expansion joints between 41st Street and Everett Avenue
The $263.4 million project is scheduled to be complete by this summer. 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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