Date:
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Contact:
Dustin Terpening, Communications - 360-757-5997 (Burlington)
Marco Foster, Engineering Manager - 360-757-5991 (Burlington)
BELLINGHAM – Sunny weather forecast for this weekend is good news for work crews but could be bad news for drivers. Crews will close lanes on I-5 in Bellingham all weekend to replace broken concrete panels. Drivers should be prepared for delays of at least a half-hour and backups of up to two miles.
The left lanes of north- and southbound I-5 will be closed from 10 p.m. Friday, May 16, to 6 a.m. Monday, May 19, between Samish Way (exit 252) and Sunset Drive (exit 255).
During the first weekend-long lane closures, the worst delays were 40 minutes and the longest backups were two miles.
The delays and backups could be even worse as Canadians take to the road this weekend to celebrate Victoria Day on Monday.
Drivers are strongly encouraged to use I-5 during off-peak times, before 8 a.m. and after 7 p.m., when delays and backups are likely to be shorter. Graphs showing the best times to use I-5 are available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i5/36thStToSlaterRdRepairs.
WSDOT reminds drivers who have to drive through the work zone to prepare for stop-and-go traffic and long delays by having a full tank of fuel. With 40-minute delays, drivers low on fuel can run out, further delaying traffic.
This work is part of a $4.5 million project that will replace 212 broken concrete panels, pave four rough ramps and smooth bumpy transitions across bridges. More project details are available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/36thStToSlaterRdRepairs.
View, download or comment on photos of the repair work at www.flickr.com/photos/wsdot/sets/72157604802092229.
More weekend-long lane closures are planned for the coming weeks. Weekend work is weather dependent and will be rescheduled as necessary.
Stay tuned into the closure schedule by subscribing to Whatcom County e-mail updates at www.wsdot.wa.gov/northwest/emailupdates.
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