Date:  Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Contact:
MaryLou Nebergall, WSDOT Project Engineer, 360-570-6752
Karri Workman, WSDOT Communications, 360-704-3270 

OLYMPIA – The I-5 and US 12 interchange at Grand Mound is in for a big change this week.

After the morning commute on Thursday, Sept. 3, one of two on-ramps to southbound I-5 from US 12 closes and a traffic signal on the west side of the interchange lights up for the first time.

The ramp closure and new signal allow crews working on the I-5 Grand Mound to Maytown widening project to modify the on-ramp. The on-ramp remains closed until spring, and the traffic signal stays on through construction of the new I-5/US 12 Grand Mound interchange.

When the on-ramp closes Thursday morning, eastbound US 12 drivers headed to southbound I-5 will share the southbound loop on-ramp previously used only by westbound US 12 drivers. The signal increases safety for motorists making the new left turn.

In preparation for the traffic changes, crews will restripe the roadway and install new signs overnight Wednesday and early Thursday.

Construction of a new I-5/US 12 Grand Mound interchange begins in the summer of 2010, after the current widening project is complete. The new US 12 bridge over I-5 will be built just north of the existing bridge, minimizing traffic disruption and reducing the construction schedule.

The $61.5 million I-5 Grand Mound to Maytown Widening construction project adds a third lane in each direction on an eight-mile stretch of I-5. The project broke ground in May 2008 and is scheduled to wrap up in summer 2010.

I-5 widening project information online:
www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/GrandMoundtoMaytown/

I-5/US 12 interchange replacement information online:
www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/GrandMoundStage2/

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