Date:  Tuesday, August 02, 2011

Contact: Dave Chesson, WSDOT Communications, 360-661-7829 (Burlington)

Expect significant delays while crews realign Arnold Road on Whidbey Island

OAK HARBOR – State Route 20 on Whidbey Island will be down to one lane for 60 hours this week while crews complete roadwork that will help realign Arnold Road to improve sight distance and ultimately driver safety. Drivers should expect delays during the morning and afternoon commutes and should consider alternate routes or reschedule trips.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will close the eastbound lane of SR 20 and the east side of Arnold Road starting at 7 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 4. All lanes will reopen by 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6.

During the closure, crews will excavate the eastern side of SR 20 and Arnold Road and then repave the roadway before reopening Saturday night.

Travel delays are expected throughout the closure and traffic is expected to be heaviest during the peak commute hours in the morning and evening. Approximately 11,000 commuters use this stretch of SR 20 daily.

“It could take 45 minutes or longer to get through the construction,” said WSDOT Project Engineer Dave Crisman. “Hopefully people will find alternate routes and avoid the peak commute times.”

For more information about this $20 million construction project, visit the project website. Or sign up for the WSDOT Island County electronic newsletter.

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