Date:  Thursday, May 19, 2011

Contact: Dustin Terpening, WSDOT Communications, 360-757-5997 (Burlington)
Chris Damitio, Project Engineer, 360-788-7403 (Bellingham)

BELLINGHAM – A longer Lakeway Drive on-ramp soon will make it easier for drivers to merge onto southbound I-5 in Bellingham.

The Washington State Department of Transportation is lengthening the short, uphill ramp by an additional 1,000 feet, doubling its length. The work should take about a month to complete.

Starting Monday evening, May 23, crews begin closing the Lakeway Drive on-ramp nightly 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. They also will close the right lane of I-5 near the interchange from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on the same nights.

During the nightly ramp closures, detour signs will direct drivers to the nearby Samish Way and Iowa Street on-ramps.

“Merging with 60-mph traffic can be challenging at the Lakeway ramp,” said Project Engineer Chris Damitio. “It’s short and an uphill climb, making it difficult to get up to speed before it’s time to merge. The longer ramp should be a noticeable improvement.”

Work to lengthen the Iowa Street on-ramp to northbound I-5 continues as crews build a retaining wall along the shoulder of the interstate. And work to lengthen the Samish Way on-ramp to northbound I-5 is expected to start in June.

When the $4.4 million project is finished later this year, drivers will be able to merge more easily with I-5 traffic at four ramps, and should see reduced congestion through the city. Find more information on the project website: www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/I5/BellinghamOnOffRamps.  

< Go Back