Date:  Friday, March 04, 2011

Contact: Lisa Copeland, WSDOT Communications, 360-357-2789
MaryLou Nebergall, WSDOT Project Engineer, 360-570-6752

OLYMPIA –A three-month project over Interstate 5 (I-5) in Olympia begins next week and brings with it lane and sidewalk closures for motorists, bicyclists, walkers and joggers heading from downtown to Tumwater on Capitol Boulevard.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and its contractor, Cascade Bridge, LLC, begin work Monday, March 7 replacing rail and fencing along the Capitol Boulevard Bridge.

Drivers and pedestrians can expect right-lane and sidewalk closures on the south side of the bridge while crews replace existing fence and railing with a taller fence. Signs will direct pedestrians to use the sidewalk on the north side of Capitol Boulevard. Work hours are from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays.

The new fencing features a tight metal mesh material and resembles chain link with smaller openings. The design eliminates spaces and gaps that exist in the current fence and railing, helping prevent debris from reaching I-5 below and protecting the approximately 138,000 drivers who travel this section of roadway daily.

“This upgrade in fencing will add another level of protection for I-5 motorists below,” explained Kevin Dayton, WSDOT Region Administrator.

“Traffic over and under this bridge has increased dramatically over the years – the first section of existing fencing was installed in 1957—which necessitates the need for higher fencing with smaller gaps.”

After crews finish work on the south side of the bridge, construction moves to the north side of Capitol Boulevard. That work requires a right-lane and sidewalk closure as well and is expected to last from April 7 to May 7, when this $518,000 Nickel-funded project will be complete.

For more information about this project and to view photos of the bridge, please visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i5/capitolbridgefence.

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