Date:  Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Contact:
Neal Uhlmeyer, Project Engineer, 360-412-3420
WSDOT Communications, 360-357-2789 or 360-507-1854

LAKEWOOD – WSDOT and its contractor, Penhall Company, are warning drivers that lane restrictions will be in effect for those driving northbound I-5 in Lakewood from Friday night June 4, through Sunday morning, June 6. And because Saturday traffic volumes are typically high in this area – drivers may want to avoid this section of interstate altogether.

The same type of closure occurred the weekend of May 14, on southbound I-5 in the same area. Because motorists avoided the area and delayed their trips that weekend, the travel delays were manageable.
Motorists didn’t fare as well the weekend of May 21, when crews replaced panels and installed dowel bars on northbound I-5 from Lakewood to Tacoma. Backups during that weekend’s work extended from Center Drive in DuPont to Bridgeport Way in Lakewood.

“Congestion can build fairly quickly in this area. The last extended closure we had produced seven-mile backups. If drivers don’t avoid the area June 5, they may face at least 10-mile backups and at least two-hour delays,” warns Kevin Dayton, region administrator. “Delays can be expected from mid-morning, into the evening on Saturday, June 5.”

This work is part of an $8.4 million Recovery Act-funded project that rehabilitates 25.5 miles of aging concrete roadway on I-5 in Thurston and Pierce counties, strengthening the roadway and creating a smoother driving surface. Since April, crews have replaced276 of 295 panels and installed 19,737 of 56,700 dowel bars used to support the roadway. This project is scheduled to be complete by the end of summer.

Crews begin work on northbound I-5 at the approach to the Clover Creek Bridge, just south of Bridgeport Way in Lakewood. Double- and triple-lane closures will be in effect 9 p.m. Friday, June 4, through 8 a.m. Sunday, June 6. The off ramp from northbound I-5 to Bridgeport Way and on ramp from Gravelly Lake Drive to northbound I-5 will also be closed during work hours.

Saturday, June 5, only two lanes of travel will be available northbound I-5 Lakewood - creating the potential for up to 10-mile backups. The lane closures combined with higher-than-normal traffic volumes for several events could cause major congestion and delays. A few planned events this weekend include:
• Special Olympics Summer Games at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, June 4 -6.
• Mariners’ game at Safeco Field, 1:10 p.m., Saturday, June 5.
• Sounders’ game at Qwest Field, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, June 5.

On a typical Saturday, more than 70,000 vehicles a day travel this stretch of I-5. Squeezing vehicles from four to two lanes and shifting traffic onto the shoulder is going to be a big challenge for drivers. The best time to travel this weekend is late Sunday morning.

Motorists from the South Puget Sound headed to the Olympic and Kitsap peninsulas should consider taking alternate routes such as US 101 and SR 3. Drivers south of Lakewood wanting to catch the Bremerton Ferry are also encouraged to use US 101 to SR 3 instead of I-5 to SR 16.

Drivers from Southwest Washington and Portland heading north to Pierce and King counties should allow themselves plenty of time to get to their destination, investigate alternate routes or consider other modes of transportation such as the Amtrak Cascades. To find schedule and fare information for the Amtrak Cascades, please visit www.amtrakcascades.com/.

Drivers can know before they go by checking the flow maps and traffic cams found at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/tacoma, calling 5-1-1.

This week’s entire current work schedule can be found on the region’s weekly impact report at www.wsdot.wa.gov/Regions/Olympic/Construction/ or drivers can stay informed about this project by visiting www.tacomatraffic.com.

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