The projects on and near I-5 in south King County have their own radio station. We installed a portable highway advisory radio (HAR) system on I-5 in Federal Way in August 2004. Since then, we have been broadcasting weekly updates on nearby projects on AM 1520.
HAR messages let us tell the project stories in weekly installments, like a novel in serial form. We tell you what’s happening as the projects take shape outside your car windows. We tell you why the projects are happening and how they’ll bring faster, safer and better commutes for drivers and transit users. We tell you about the jobs the projects create, the workers who are building the projects and the trades they represent. And we warn you about upcoming traffic switches and closures.
We post the text of the messages on this page each week. Look and listen for the new message every Friday.
In addition to our project Web sites and radio messages, we also send an e-mail update each week. Sign up to receive this informative message in your own inbox.
No. 120: Dec. 1-8
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on I-5 projects for December 1st through 8th.
Sunday and Monday nights, weather permitting, expect extensive nighttime lane and ramp closures on I-5 in Tacoma as crews remove rails from bridges over the freeway. Sunday night we’ll reduce northbound I-5 to one lane, and Monday night we’ll reduce southbound I-5 to one lane. These closures will occur between the SR 16 curve and I-705, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. We recommend that you plan ahead and take alternate routes Sunday and Monday nights.
Monday through Thursday nights we’ll close up to two lanes in each direction of I-5 between S. 320th and the Pierce County line for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m. each night. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m., all southbound by 11 a.m.
Crews will be doing pavement improvement work near the SR 18 interchange this week, so this requires nighttime ramp closures in addition to the mainline lane closures. Monday and Tuesday nights, between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., expect periodic closures of the ramps from westbound SR 18 to northbound I-5, southbound I-5 to eastbound SR 18 and eastbound SR 18 to southbound I-5.
Wednesday and Thursday nights from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. we plan to close the ramps from northbound I-5 to westbound SR 18 and westbound SR 18 to southbound I-5.
We’ll post detours for each ramp closure. Please plan ahead and expect delays on trips during late night and early morning hours.
We expect to complete the I-5 widening project in Federal Way next spring. Thank you for your patience as we make these freeway improvements. For more information about this and other WSDOT projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
No. 119: Nov. 27-Dec. 1
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in south King County for November 27th to December 1st.
Monday through Thursday nights we’ll close up to two lanes in each direction of I-5 between S. 320th and the Pierce County line for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m. each night. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m., all southbound by 11 a.m.
Tuesday night we’ll close the ramps from eastbound SR 18 to southbound I-5, southbound I-5 to eastbound SR 18 and westbound SR 18 to northbound I-5 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for pavement improvements.
Wednesday and Thursday nights we’ll close the ramp from westbound SR 18 to northbound I-5 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for pavement improvements.
On Monday, November 27th we were using over 250 crew members and 190 vehicles to keep traffic moving on snowy and icy western Washington highways. We encourage you to visit our Web site for real-time traffic information before you leave, or you can call 5-1-1 if you’re away from a computer. When driving in wintry conditions, please slow down, keep extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you, use your headlights, and minimize distractions like eating, drinking and changing radio stations or CDs.
For more information about our projects, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
No. 118: Nov. 17-26
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in south King County for November 17th through 26th.
Monday and Tuesday nights, November 20th and 21st, we’ll close up to two lanes in each direction of I-5 between S. 320th and the Pierce County line for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m. each night. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m., all southbound by 11 a.m.
To accommodate holiday weekend travelers, no construction-related closures are scheduled between noon on Wednesday the 22nd and noon on Monday the 27th.
On November 16th the State Patrol kicked off the first of several scheduled holiday DUI crackdowns. Every year in Washington over 200 people are killed in collisions involving a drunk driver. The State Patrol works around the clock with local law enforcement to find and then take dangerous impaired drivers off the road. If you see a vehicle with signs of driver impairment, find a safe place to pull over and dial 9-1-1, or have a passenger call. You could save a life. And if you drink, use a designated driver, taxi or bus.
For more information about our projects, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
No. 117: Nov. 3-17
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in south King County.
Monday through Thursday nights we’ll close up to two lanes in each direction of I-5 between S. 320th and the Pierce County line for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m. each night. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m., all southbound by 11 a.m.
With the coming of dark, rainy fall days, we’d like to remind you to please use extra caution when driving. You should use your headlights even in the daytime if it's foggy or raining. When it’s raining, slow down. The posted speed limit is for dry pavement. Also, allow plenty of distance between you and the car ahead of you, and pay attention to what’s up ahead to avoid having to stomp on your brakes suddenly. And on city streets, please watch for pedestrians. More pedestrians are struck and killed in autumn months than at other times during the year.
For more information about our projects, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
No. 116: Oct. 27-Nov. 3
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in south King County for October 27th through November 3rd.
Monday through Thursday nights we’ll close up to two lanes in each direction of I-5 between S. 320th and the Pierce County line for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m. each night. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m., all southbound by 11 a.m.
Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. Sunday, October 29th. With the coming of dark, rainy fall days, we’d like to remind you to please use extra caution when driving. You should use your headlights even in the daytime if it's foggy or raining. When it’s raining, slow down. The posted speed limit is for dry pavement. Also, allow plenty of distance between you and the car ahead of you, and pay attention to what’s up ahead to avoid having to stomp on your brakes suddenly. And on city streets, please watch for pedestrians. More pedestrians are struck and killed in autumn months than at other times during the year.
For more information about our projects, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
No. 115: Oct. 20-27
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in south King County for October 20th through 27th.
Monday through Thursday nights we’ll close up to two lanes in each direction of I-5 between S. 320th and the Pierce County line for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m. each night. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m., all southbound by 11 a.m.
We’re offering you new tools to help you make informed travel choices. You can now use your PDA or cell phone to access the popular Seattle area traffic flow map, current travel times, ferry schedules, and mountain pass reports. And on our Web site you can now see and compare HOV and general purpose lane travel times, and view messages that currently appear on electronic highway signs. You can use this information to help you decide which route to take, or whether to carpool or ride the bus. On many Seattle routes you can save up to 16 minutes a trip by taking the HOV lanes during morning and afternoon commutes.
Our Seattle traffic page is already one of the most popular pages on our Web site. First launched in 1994, it now receives close to 400,000 daily views. To find our Web site, just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
No. 114: Oct. 13-20
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in south King County for October 13th through 20th.
Monday through Thursday nights we’ll close up to two lanes in each direction of I-5 between S. 320th and the Pierce County line for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m. each night. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m., all southbound by 11 a.m.
We’ll be working through the winter on I-5 in Federal Way so that we can finish this freeway widening project next spring. As you drive through the work zone, please devote your full attention to the road. A top reason for work zone crashes is inattentive driving. Please do not use your cell phone, eat or drink, or change CD's or radio stations. Also, leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you. Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of work zone crashes.
We opened a new northbound HOV lane on SR 167 in Auburn on Thursday, October 12th. We reached this milestone about six months earlier than the scheduled spring 2007 opening date. This lane opening is part of a project to widen northbound SR 167 through Auburn, funded by the 2003 gas tax. We expect to open another new stretch of northbound HOV lane on SR 167 in Auburn next summer.
For detailed information about our projects and real-time traffic information before you hit the road, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine. Thank you for your patience as we build improvements to increase safety and ease congestion.
No. 113: Oct. 6-13
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in south King County for October 6th through 13th.
Monday through Thursday nights we’ll close up to two lanes in each direction of I-5 between S. 320th and the Pierce County line for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m. each night. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m., all southbound by 11 a.m.
We’re in high gear finishing as much weather-sensitive work as possible before the rainy fall weather stops us. Please be prepared for lots of nighttime lane and ramp closures on area freeways. For detailed information, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
We’ll be working through the winter on I-5 in Federal Way so that we can finish this freeway widening project next spring. As you drive through the work zone, please devote your full attention to the road. A top reason for work zone crashes is inattentive driving. Please do not use your cell phone, eat or drink, or change CD's or radio stations. Also, leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you. Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of work zone crashes.
Thank you for your patience as we build improvements to increase safety and ease congestion.
No. 112: Sept. 29-Oct. 6
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in south King County for September 29th through October 6th.
Beginning Friday night, September 29th, we’ll close one southbound lane of SR 167 in Auburn until Tuesday morning, October 3rd. We’ll need your help to keep traffic moving, so please check real time traffic conditions on our Web site before you go and make plans accordingly. Please consider taking alternate routes, carpooling, riding the bus, and rescheduling your trips.
Monday through Thursday nights we’ll close up to two lanes in each direction of I-5 between S. 320th and the Pierce County line for paving and pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m. each night. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m., all southbound by 11 a.m.
Monday and Tuesday night we plan to set barrier in both directions of SR 18 at I-5. This will involve closing the right lane in each direction of SR 18, as well as the southbound I-5 ramp to eastbound SR 18 and the northbound I-5 ramp to westbound SR 18, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
On Wednesday night, weather permitting, we plan to close the northbound I-5 ramp to eastbound SR 18 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving. Signed detours will be in place for all ramp closures.
We’re shifting into high gear to finish as much paving and striping as possible before the rainy fall weather stops us. Please be prepared for lots of nighttime lane and ramp closures on area freeways. For detailed information, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
Thank you for your patience as we build improvements to increase safety and ease congestion.
No. 111: Sept. 22-29
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in south King County for September 22nd through 29th.
Monday through Thursday nights we’ll close up to two lanes in each direction of I-5 between S. 320th and the Pierce County line for paving and pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m. each night. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m., all southbound by 11 a.m. On Monday and Tuesday night from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. we plan to close the northbound I-5 on-ramp from eastbound SR 18 for paving. A signed detour will be in place. Rain could postpone closures scheduled for paving.
We’re shifting into high gear to finish as much paving and striping as possible before the rainy fall weather stops us. Please be prepared for lots of nighttime lane and ramp closures on area freeways. For detailed information, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
South King County drivers should be prepared for major construction activity on SR 167 in Auburn beginning Friday night, September 29th. One southbound lane will be closed between 15th Street NW and SR 18 from Friday night to Tuesday morning. We’ll need your help to keep traffic moving, so please check real time traffic conditions on our Web site before you go and make plans accordingly. Please consider taking alternate routes, carpooling, riding the bus, and rescheduling your trips.
Thank you for your patience as we build improvements to increase safety and ease congestion.
No. 110: Sept. 15-22
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in south King County for September 15th through 22nd.
Monday through Thursday nights expect lane and ramp closures on I-5 in Federal Way for paving and pavement improvements. We’ll close up to three northbound and two southbound I-5 lanes weeknights between the Pierce County line and S. 320th. The first lane will close at 7 p.m. each night. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m., all southbound by 11 a.m.
On Monday and Tuesday night from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. we’ll close two ramps at the I-5 / SR 18 interchange: northbound I-5 to eastbound SR 18 and eastbound SR 18 to southbound I-5. Detours will be in place.
We’re taking advantage of good weather while there’s still some summer left. South King County drivers should also expect lane and ramp closures this week on SR 99 in Federal Way, SR 167 from Auburn to Renton, and SR 164 in Enumclaw. For details, please visit our Web site.
To find our Web site, just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine. While you’re there you can sign up for e-mail updates to stay informed about upcoming traffic closures and learn more about our projects. Thank you for your patience as we build improvements to increase safety and ease congestion.
No. 109: Sept. 8-15
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in south King County for September 8th through 15th.
Monday through Thursday nights expect lane and ramp closures on I-5 in Federal Way for paving and pavement improvements. We’ll close up to three northbound I-5 lanes weeknights between the Pierce County line and S. 320th. The first lane will close at 7 p.m. each night. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m.
On Monday night we’ll close the southbound I-5 on-ramp from S. 320th from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. On Wednesday and Thursday nights, we’ll close the northbound I-5 ramp to eastbound SR 18 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Detours will be in place.
We’re taking advantage of good weather while there’s still some summer left. South King County drivers should also expect lane and ramp closures this week on SR 167 from Auburn to Renton, on southbound I-5 in Tukwila, and in Federal Way on SR 99. For details, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
Thank you for your patience as we build projects to improve safety and ease congestion.
No. 108: Sept. 1-8
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in south King County for September 1st through 8th.
To accommodate holiday weekend travelers, crews will stop work at noon on Friday, Sept. 1st, and resume Tuesday afternoon.
Tuesday through Thursday nights we’ll close up to three lanes in each direction of I-5 between South 320th and the Pierce County line for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m. each night. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m., all southbound by 11 a.m.
Also expect ramp closures at the I-5 / SR 18 interchange Tuesday and Wednesday night from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving. On Tuesday night we’ll close the ramp from southbound I-5 to westbound SR 18. On Wednesday night we’ll close the ramp from northbound I-5 to eastbound SR 18. Detours will be in place.
We’re taking advantage of good weather while there’s still some summer left. South King County drivers should also expect lane and ramp closures this week in Auburn at the SR 167 / SR 18 interchange, in Kent on SR 99, and in Tukwila on I-5, SR 518 and SR 599. For details, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
Thank you for your patience as we build projects to improve safety and ease congestion.
No. 107: Aug. 25-Sept. 1
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in south King County for August 25th through September 1st.
Saturday and Sunday nights we’ll close up to three northbound I-5 lanes through SeaTac to I-405 in Tukwila for restriping. Monday through Thursday nights we’ll close three southbound lanes from I-405 to South 188th Street from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Also next week in Federal Way we’ll close up to three lanes in each direction of I-5 nightly between South 320th and the Pierce County line for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m. each night. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m., all southbound by 11.
On Monday night expect 45-minute closures of various ramps at the SR 18 / I-5 interchange between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. for pavement grinding. Also on SR 18 near I-5 we plan to close two lanes in each direction weeknights from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews work on the I-5 bridges.
We’re taking advantage of good weather while there’s still some summer left. South King County drivers should also expect lane and ramp closures this week in Auburn at the SR 167 / SR 18 interchange and in Kent on SR 99. For details, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
Thank you for your patience as we build projects to improve safety and ease congestion.
No 106: Aug. 18-25
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in the Federal Way area for August 18th through 25th.
Monday through Thursday nights we’ll close up to three lanes in each direction of I-5 between South 320th and the Pierce County line, leaving one lane open in each direction. The first lane will close at 7 p.m. each night. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m., all southbound by 11 a.m. We’re improving southbound pavement and restriping the northbound lanes to shift traffic toward the median and onto new HOV lanes. The HOV lanes between South 320th and the county line will be open to all drivers until we complete the project in spring 2007.
Expect extensive lane and ramp closures at the I-5 / SR 18 interchange this week for bridge demolition. We’ll close the right lane in each direction of SR 18 at 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. We’ll close a second lane in each direction at 11 p.m. The lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. each morning.
On Monday night, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., we’ll also close the ramps from northbound I-5 to westbound SR 18 and from eastbound SR 18 to northbound I-5. On Wednesday night from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. we’ll close the ramps from westbound SR 18 to southbound I-5 and from northbound I-5 to eastbound SR 18.
We need your help to minimize traffic backups during this work. Please plan ahead and consider taking alternate routes such as SR 167 and SR 99. If you do take I-5, please budget extra time into your trips, and check our Web site for real-time traffic information before you leave. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
Thank you for your patience as we build projects to improve safety and ease congestion on I-5.
No. 105: Aug. 11-18
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in the Federal Way area for August 11th through 18th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highway 18. We completed widening on SR 161 and teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects are bringing faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders in south King County.
Monday through Thursday nights we plan to close up to three lanes in each direction of I-5, leaving one lane open in each direction. The first lane will close at 7 p.m. each night. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m., all southbound by 11 a.m. These closures are needed so crews can continue pavement improvements.
We need your help to minimize traffic backups during this work. Please plan ahead and consider taking alternate routes such as SR 167 and SR 99. If you do take I-5, please budget extra time into your trips, and check our Web site for real-time traffic information before you leave. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
Thank you for your patience as we build projects to improve safety and reduce congestion on I-5.
No. 104: Aug. 4-11
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in the Federal Way area for August 4th through 11th.
Drivers should use extra caution on northbound I-5 in Federal Way this week. We’re restriping the lanes between South 320th and the Pierce County line to shift traffic toward the median and onto new HOV lanes we’ve built. The HOV lanes between South 320th and the county line will be open to all drivers until we complete the project in spring 2007.
Monday through Thursday nights expect northbound I-5 to be reduced to one lane. The first lane will close at 7 p.m. each night. We also plan to reduce southbound I-5 to one lane on Tuesday night for pavement improvement work. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m., all southbound by 11 a.m. Also expect weeknight closures from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. of the right lanes on SR 18 near I-5, as well as ramp closures at the SR 18/I-5 interchange.
We need your help to minimize traffic backups during this work. Please plan ahead and consider taking alternate routes such as SR 167 and SR 99. If you do take I-5, please budget extra time into your trips, and check our Web site for real-time traffic information before you leave. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
Thank you for your patience as we build projects to reduce congestion and improve safety on I-5.
No. 103: July 28-Aug. 4
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in the Federal Way area for July 28th through August 4th.
Drivers should expect significant nighttime delays on I-5 in Federal Way through the first week in August. WSDOT is repairing and resurfacing the I-5 bridges over SR 18 and South 336th Street in the northbound direction, which were last paved in 1976 and have severe cracks, ruts and potholes. Southbound bridges will be resurfaced later during this project.
This work requires extensive nightly traffic closures between South 320th Street and SR 161. We’re closing lanes and ramps earlier than usual each night and reopening them later than usual each morning so we can complete the work in a way that causes the least inconvenience to drivers. This allows us to avoid around-the-clock two-lane closures lasting two to three weeks.
We need your help to minimize traffic backups during this work. Please plan ahead and consider taking alternate routes such as SR 167 and SR 99. If you do take I-5, please budget extra time into your trips, and check our Web site for real-time traffic information before you leave. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
Thank you for your patience during this work. You will soon enjoy a much smoother ride on I-5.
No. 102: July 21-28
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in the Federal Way area for July 21st through 28th.
Drivers should expect significant nighttime delays on I-5 in Federal Way through the end of July. WSDOT is repairing the I-5 bridges over SR 18 and South 336th Street, which were last paved in 1976 and have severe cracks, ruts and potholes.
The repairs require extensive nightly traffic closures between South 320th Street and SR 161, including reducing I-5 to one lane in each direction. We’re closing lanes and ramps earlier than usual each night and reopening them later than usual each morning so we can complete the work in a way that causes the least inconvenience to drivers. This allows us to avoid around-the-clock two-lane closures lasting two to three weeks.
We need your help to minimize traffic backups during this work. Please plan ahead and consider taking alternate routes such as SR 167 and SR 99. If you do take I-5, please budget extra time into your trips, and check our Web site for real-time traffic information before you leave. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
Thank you for your patience during this work. You will soon enjoy a much smoother ride on I-5.
No. 101: July 14-21
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in the Federal Way area for July 14th through 21st. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highway 18. We also widened SR 161, and teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Drivers should expect weeknight delays on I-5 in Federal Way through the end of July. I-5 may be reduced to one lane in each direction nightly between South 320th Street and SR 161 as crews do preparatory work and pave the I-5 bridges over SR 18 and South 336th Street.
At 7 p.m. crews will close two northbound lanes, a third lane will close at 10 p.m. and a fourth at midnight, leaving one northbound lane open. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. each morning.
Southbound, crews will close two lanes at 8 p.m. and a third lane at midnight. Two southbound lanes will reopen by 6 a.m. each morning, and the third lane will reopen by 11 a.m.
Please budget some extra time into your nighttime trips, or take alternate routes.
On Tuesday and Thursday nights we’ll close the northbound I-5 ramp to westbound SR 18 and the eastbound SR 18 ramp to northbound I-5 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
On Wednesday night we’ll close the southbound I-5 ramp to eastbound SR 18 and the westbound SR 18 ramp to southbound I-5 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Drivers should expect delays as they take the signed detour routes for the ramp closures.
For more information or to sign up for e-mail updates about our projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
No. 100: July 7-14
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Greg with an update on projects in the Federal Way area for July 7th through 14th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Drivers should expect weeknight delays on I-5 in Federal Way. You can expect up to three lanes closed nightly as crews smooth out the bumpy ride and extend the life of the existing pavement for years to come. We’re also closing ramps nightly at the I-5/SR 18 interchange. Drivers should follow the detour signs and budget some extra time into your trips.
The HOV lanes between South 320th and the county line will be open to all drivers when we complete the project in spring 2007.
This week we’re marking the completion of the SR 161 widening project, which began construction in March 2005. WSDOT and our contractor, Tri-State Construction, are finishing this project under budget and six months ahead of schedule. We widened the highway to four lanes, added new turn lanes and made other improvements to enhance safety and reduce congestion. Funding for the SR 161 widening came from the 2003 nickel gas tax.
For more information or to sign up for e-mail updates about our projects, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
No. 99: June 30-July 7
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura with an update on projects in the Federal Way area for June 30th through July 7th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Drivers should use extra caution on I-5 in Federal Way for the next few weeks. We’re restriping the lanes between South 320th and the county line to shift traffic toward the median and onto new HOV lanes we’ve built. The HOV lanes between South 320th and the county line will be open to all drivers until we complete the project in spring 2007.
We have no construction-related traffic closures planned for Monday and Tuesday. After that expect nightly closures on I-5 of up to three lanes in each direction and ramps at the I-5/SR 18 interchange as crews make pavement improvements and shift lanes. Also expect weeknight lane closures on SR 18 near I-5 as crews excavate for an I-5 bridge footing.
We’d like to wish everyone a happy 4th of July and remind you to please drive carefully during this time of celebration. If you see a vehicle with signs of driver impairment, find a safe place to pull over and dial 9-1-1, or have a passenger call. You could save a life. And if you drink, use a designated driver, taxi, or bus.
For more information or to sign up for e-mail updates about our projects, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine.
No. 98: June 23-30
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Greg, with an update on projects in the Federal Way area for June 23rd through 30th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
We’re nearing a big milestone on the I-5 widening project in Federal Way. Crews are restriping northbound I-5 between S. 320th and the county line to shift traffic toward the median and onto the new HOV lanes we’ve built. Crews will shift northbound I-5 lanes first and will work in segments from north to south. The northbound lane shift will take up to two weeks.
Once crews shift the northbound lanes crews will restripe the southbound lanes and shift traffic toward the median. Although we’re moving traffic onto the new HOV lanes, the lanes will be open to all drivers until we complete widening on the outside of the freeway. Drivers will travel on four lanes in each direction until we complete the project in spring 2007.
Restriping will require the following lane and ramp closures. Sunday, June 25th through Thursday, June 29th expect nightly closures of up to three northbound I-5 lanes from the Pierce County line to South 320th for restriping. The first lane will close at 7 p.m., the second at 10, and the third at 11. By 5 o’clock each morning we’ll reopen all northbound lanes.
Tuesday, June 27th through Thursday, June 29th we’ll close up to three ramps at the I-5/SR 18 interchange. The ramps will close at 9 p.m. and reopen by 5 a.m. each following morning. We will provide a signed detour for each closure.
On this same stretch of I-5 expect closures of up to three southbound lanes Monday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. for pavement grinding and HOV lane paving. During these closures nighttime drivers should expect delays and consider alternate routes
For more information or to sign up for e-mail updates about our projects, please visit our Web site. Enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 97: June 16-23
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in the Federal Way area for June 16th through 23rd. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Monday through Thursday nights expect closures of up to three northbound I-5 lanes from the Pierce County line to South 320th for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m., the second at 10, and the third at 11. By 5 o’clock each morning we’ll reopen all northbound lanes. On this same stretch of I-5 expect closures of the left southbound lane Monday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. for paving and construction vehicle access to the median work zone.
We’re widening the I-5 bridges over South 336th Street and SR 18 so we can add HOV lanes. We’ve also been grinding the pavement on northbound and southbound I-5 to remove ruts and create a texture that helps tires grip the road. The I-5 Federal Way widening project is scheduled to continue through this year and into next spring.
For more information or to sign up for e-mail updates about our projects, please visit our Web site. Enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 96: June 9-16
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in the Federal Way area for June 9th through 16th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Monday through Thursday nights expect closures of up to three northbound I-5 lanes from South 320th to the Pierce County line for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m., the second at 10, and the third at 11. By 5 o’clock each morning we’ll reopen all northbound lanes. On this same stretch of I-5 expect closures of the left southbound lane Monday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. for paving and construction vehicle access to the median work zone.
Monday through Friday expect delays on South 336th Street as crews remove construction scaffolding from the I-5 bridges. Flaggers will alternate eastbound and westbound traffic under the freeway.
We’ve been backfilling and concrete paving at the ends of the newly widened I-5 bridges over Highway 18 and South 336th Street. We’ve also been grinding the pavement on northbound and southbound I-5 to remove ruts and create a texture that helps tires grip the road. The I-5 Federal Way widening project is scheduled to continue through this year and into next spring.
For more information or to sign up for e-mail updates about our projects, please visit our Web site. Enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 95: June 2-9
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in the Federal Way area for June 2nd through 9th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Monday through Thursday nights expect closures of up to two northbound I-5 lanes from South 320th to the Pierce County line for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m., the second at 10 p.m. By 5 o’clock each morning we’ll reopen all northbound lanes. On this same stretch of I-5 expect closures of the left southbound lane Monday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. for paving and construction vehicle access to the median work zone.
We’ve been building barriers on the newly widened I-5 bridges over Highway 18 and South 336th Street. We’ve also been grinding the pavement on northbound and southbound I-5 to remove ruts and create a texture that helps tires grip the road. And we’re installing new guardrails along northbound I-5 near the Pierce County line. The I-5 widening project is scheduled to continue through this year and into next spring.
For more information or to sign up for e-mail updates about our projects, please visit our Web site. Enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 94: May 26-June 2
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in the Federal Way area for May 26th through June 2nd. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Crews will shift lanes to pave Highway 161 this week between 360th and 370th. We’ll also pave at the 28th Avenue South and Military Road intersections.
Monday through Thursday nights expect closures of up to three northbound I-5 lanes from South 320th to the Pierce County line for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m., with up to three lanes closed by 11 p.m. By 5 o’clock each morning we’ll reopen all northbound lanes. On this same stretch of I-5 expect closures of the left southbound lane Monday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. for paving and construction vehicle access to the median work zone.
We're using a technique called dowel bar retrofit to restore I-5 pavement. This technique saves money over repaving, and extends the life of the pavement by ten to fifteen years. First, we cut slots across joints in the pavement and insert dowel bars to help transfer vehicle weight smoothly from one concrete panel to the next. After we patch the slots, we grind the pavement with diamond-tipped saw blades to a texture that helps tires grip the road.
For more information or to sign up for e-mail updates about our projects, please visit our Web site. Enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 93: May 19-26
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for May 19th through 26th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Expect daytime lane closures on Highway 161 between 360th and Jovita Boulevard Monday through Friday, and nighttime lane closures between Jovita Boulevard and Milton Way Wednesday through Friday nights. Crews are doing the final paving on this project. One lane will remain open at all times and flaggers will alternate one-way traffic through the work zone.
Monday through Thursday nights expect closures of up to three lanes in each direction of I-5 from South 320th to the Pierce County line for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m., with up to three lanes closed in each direction by midnight. By 5 o’clock each morning we’ll reopen all northbound lanes and all but one southbound lane (which will reopen by 11 a.m.).
We're using a technique called dowel bar retrofit to restore I-5 pavement. This technique saves money over repaving, and extends the life of the pavement by ten to fifteen years. First, we cut slots across joints in the pavement and insert dowel bars to help transfer vehicle weight smoothly from one concrete panel to the next. After we patch the slots, we grind the pavement with diamond-tipped saw blades to a texture that helps tires grip the road.
For more detailed information or to sign up for e-mail updates about our projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 92: May 12-19
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for May 12th through 16th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Expect daytime lane closures in both directions of Highway 161 between 370th and Milton Way Monday through Friday. Crews are doing the final paving on this project. We’ll keep one lane open in each direction at all times.
Monday through Thursday nights expect closures of up to three lanes in each direction of I-5 from South 320th to the Pierce County line for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m., with up to three lanes closed in each direction by midnight. By 5 o’clock each morning we’ll reopen all northbound lanes and all but one southbound lane (which will reopen by 11 a.m.).
We're using a technique called dowel bar retrofit to restore I-5 pavement. This technique saves money over repaving, and extends the life of the pavement by ten to fifteen years. First, we cut slots across joints in the pavement and insert dowel bars to help transfer vehicle weight smoothly from one concrete panel to the next. After we patch the slots, we grind the pavement with diamond-tipped saw blades to a texture that helps tires grip the road.
For more detailed information or to sign up for e-mail updates about our projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 91: May 9-12
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for May 9th through 12th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Expect daytime shoulder closures in both directions of Highway 161 between 8th Avenue and 360th Monday through Friday. Crews are finishing walls and doing other miscellaneous work. We’re also preparing to pave the entire project. We expect to complete this widening project this summer.
Monday through Thursday nights expect closures of up to three lanes in each direction of I-5 from South 320th to the Pierce County line for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m., with up to three lanes closed in each direction by midnight. By 5 o’clock each morning we’ll reopen all northbound lanes and all but one southbound lane (which will reopen by 11 a.m.).
We're using a technique called dowel bar retrofit to restore I-5 pavement. This technique saves money over repaving, and extends the life of the pavement by ten to fifteen years. First, we cut slots across joints in the pavement and insert dowel bars to help transfer vehicle weight smoothly from one concrete panel to the next. After we patch the slots, we grind the pavement with diamond-tipped saw blades to a texture that helps tires grip the road.
For more detailed information or to sign up for e-mail updates about our projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 90: May 2-9
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for May 5th through 12th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Expect daytime shoulder closures in both directions of Highway 161 between 8th Avenue and 360th Monday through Friday. Crews are finishing walls and doing other miscellaneous work. We’re also preparing to pave the entire project. We expect to complete this widening project this summer.
Monday through Thursday night expect closures of three lanes in each direction of I-5 from South 320th to the Pierce County line for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m., with up to three lanes closed in each direction by midnight. By 5 o’clock each morning we’ll reopen all northbound lanes and all but one southbound lane (which will reopen by 11 a.m.). Also expect closures of the southbound I-5 HOV on-ramp from South 317th Monday through Thursday nights from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
We're using a technique called dowel bar retrofit to restore I-5 pavement. This technique saves money over repaving, and extends the life of the pavement by ten to fifteen years. First, we cut slots across joints in the pavement and insert dowel bars to help transfer vehicle weight smoothly from one concrete panel to the next. After we patch the slots, we grind the pavement with diamond-tipped saw blades to a texture that helps tires grip the road.
For more detailed information or to sign up for e-mail updates about our projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 89: Apr. 25-May 2
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
On Highway 161, we’ll close the right southbound lane between Military Road and Milton Way Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for miscellaneous work. We expect to complete this widening project this summer.
Monday through Thursday nights expect closures of three lanes of northbound I-5 from the Pierce County line to South 320th for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m., the second at 10, and the third at 11. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 o’clock each morning. Also on this stretch of I-5 expect closures of the left southbound lane Monday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. for paving, weather permitting.
We're using a technique called dowel bar retrofit to restore I-5 pavement. This technique saves money over repaving, and extends the life of the pavement by ten to fifteen years. First, we cut slots across joints in the pavement and insert dowel bars to help transfer vehicle weight smoothly from one concrete panel to the next. After we patch the slots, we grind the pavement with diamond-tipped saw blades to a texture that helps tires grip the road.
For more detailed information or to sign up for e-mail updates about our projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 88: Apr. 18-25
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for April 18th through 25th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
On Highway 161, we’ll close the right southbound lane between Military Road and Milton Way Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for miscellaneous work. Also expect daytime shoulder closures northbound and southbound. We expect to complete this widening project this summer.
Monday through Thursday nights expect closures of three lanes of northbound I-5 from the Pierce County line to South 320th for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m., the second at 10, and the third at 11. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 o’clock each morning. Also on this stretch of I-5 expect closures of the left southbound lane Monday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. for paving, weather permitting.
We're using a technique called dowel bar retrofit to restore I-5 pavement. This technique saves money over repaving, and extends the life of the pavement by ten to fifteen years. First, we cut slots across joints in the pavement and insert dowel bars to help transfer vehicle weight smoothly from one concrete panel to the next. After we patch the slots, we grind the pavement with diamond-tipped saw blades to a texture that helps tires grip the road.
For more detailed information or to sign up for e-mail updates about our projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 87: Apr. 11-18
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for April 11th through 18th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
On Highway 161, we’ll close the right southbound lane between Military Road and Milton Way Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for miscellaneous work. We expect to complete this widening project this summer.
Monday through Thursday nights expect closures of three lanes of northbound I-5 from the Pierce County line to South 320th for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m., the second at 10, and the third at 11. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 o’clock each morning. Also on this stretch of I-5 expect closures of the left southbound lane Monday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. for paving, weather permitting.
We're using a technique called dowel bar retrofit to restore I-5 pavement. This technique saves money over repaving, and extends the life of the pavement by ten to fifteen years. First, we cut slots across joints in the pavement and insert dowel bars to help transfer vehicle weight smoothly from one concrete panel to the next. After we patch the slots, we grind the pavement with diamond-tipped saw blades to a texture that helps tires grip the road.
For more detailed information or to sign up for e-mail updates about our projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 86: Apr. 4-11
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for April 4th through 11th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Monday through Thursday nights expect closures of three lanes of northbound I-5 from the Pierce County line to South 320th for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m., the second at 10, and the third at 11 p.m. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 o’clock each morning. Also on this stretch of I-5 expect closures of the left southbound lane Monday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. for paving, weather permitting.
We're using a technique called dowel bar retrofit to restore I-5 pavement. This technique costs less than repaving, and extends the life of the pavement by ten to fifteen years. First, we cut slots across pavement joints and insert dowel bars to help transfer vehicle weight smoothly from one concrete panel to the next. After we've patched the slots, we grind the pavement with diamond-tipped saw blades to a texture that helps tires grip the road.
For more detailed information or to sign up for e-mail updates about our projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 85: Mar. 28-Apr. 4
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for March 28th through April 4th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Monday through Thursday nights expect closures of three lanes of northbound I-5 from the Pierce County line to South 320th for pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 7 p.m., the second at 10, and the third at 11 p.m. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 o’clock each morning. Also on this stretch of I-5 expect closures of the left southbound lane Monday through Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. for paving, weather permitting.
We're using a technique called dowel bar retrofit to restore I-5 pavement. This technique costs less than repaving, and extends the life of the pavement by ten to fifteen years. First, we cut slots across pavement joints and insert dowel bars to help transfer vehicle weight smoothly from one concrete panel to the next. After we've patched the slots, we grind the pavement with diamond-tipped saw blades to a texture that helps tires grip the road.
On Highway 161, we’ll close the right southbound lane between Military Road and Milton Way Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for miscellaneous work. We expect to complete this widening project this summer.
For more detailed information about our projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 84: Mar. 21-28
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for March 21st through 28th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Monday through Friday crews will close the right southbound lane on SR 161 between Military Road and Milton Way from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for miscellaneous work. Also Monday through Friday expect daytime closures of the right lane of southbound I-5 near South 320th as crews install safety fence along retaining walls.
Expect weeknight closures of up to three lanes of northbound I-5 from the Pierce County line to South 320th for paving and pavement improvements. The first lane will close at 8 p.m. with up to three lanes closed by 11 p.m. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 o’clock each morning. Also on this stretch of I-5 expect weeknight closures of the left southbound lane from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. for paving. These closures could be postponed by rain.
For more detailed information about our projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 83: Mar. 14-21
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for March 14th through 21st. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Monday through Friday crews will close a single southbound lane on SR 161 between Military Road and Milton Way from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to work on pavement repair, sidewalks and electrical conduits.
Expect nightly closures of the three left lanes of northbound I-5 from the Pierce County line to South 320th as crews place concrete. The first lane will close at 8 p.m. with up to three lanes closed by 11 p.m. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 o’clock each morning. Also on this stretch of I-5 crews plan to close the left southbound lane Wednesday and Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. for asphalt paving. These closures could be postponed by rain.
Please note that through traffic should not use the new I-5 HOV ramps at South 317th. The ramps are restricted to carpools, vanpools and buses that are exiting the freeway.
Wednesday and Thursday nights expect ramp closures at the I-5 / SR 18 interchange from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Also expect nighttime closures of the right lanes of SR 18 near I-5 westbound on Wednesday and eastbound on Thursday from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews will work on the I-5 bridges over SR 18.
For more detailed information about our projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 82: Mar. 7-14
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for March 7th through 14th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Monday through Thursday, expect nightly closures of the three left lanes of northbound I-5 from the Pierce County line to South 320th for pavement improvement work. The first lane will close at 8 p.m. with up to three lanes closed by 11 p.m. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 o’clock each morning.
The new HOV ramps and Sound Transit’s new Federal Way Transit Center are now open. We thank you for your patience during the past year and a half of construction, and we hope you’ll enjoy the benefits of these projects. Please continue to watch for traffic closures and crews working on and around I-5 in Federal Way as we continue efforts to improve your commute.
Please note that through traffic should not use the new HOV ramps. The ramps are restricted to carpools, vanpools and buses that are exiting the freeway at South 317th.
For more detailed information about our projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 81: Feb. 28-Mar. 7
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for February 28th through March 7th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
The new HOV ramps and Sound Transit’s new Federal Way Transit Center are now open. We thank you for your patience during the past year and a half of construction, and we hope you’ll enjoy the benefits of these projects. Please continue to watch for traffic closures and crews working on and around I-5 in Federal Way as we continue efforts to improve your commute.
Please note that through traffic should not use the new HOV ramps. The ramps are restricted to carpools, vanpools and buses that are exiting the freeway at South 317th.
Monday through Thursday expect nightly closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 from South 320th to the Pierce County line from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. for paving, weather permitting.
For more information on our projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 80: Feb. 21-28
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for February 21st through 28th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
We opened the new HOV ramps at South 317th on February 10th. Sound Transit opened their new Federal Way Transit Center on February 11th. We thank you for your patience during the past year and a half of construction, and we hope you’ll enjoy the benefits of these projects. Please continue to watch for traffic closures and crews working on and around I-5 in Federal Way as we continue efforts to improve your commute.
Please note that through traffic should not use the new HOV ramps. The ramps are restricted to carpools, vanpools and buses that are exiting the freeway at South 317th.
On Wednesday and Thursday nights, expect closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 from South 320th to the Pierce County line for paving, weather permitting.
For more information on our projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 79: Feb. 14-21
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for February 14th through 21st. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
We opened the new HOV ramps and bridge at South 317th at 2 p.m. Friday, February 10th. Sound Transit’s new Federal Way Transit Center opened Saturday morning. We thank you for your patience during the past year and a half of construction, and we hope you’ll enjoy the benefits of these projects. Please continue to watch for traffic closures and crews working on and around I-5 in Federal Way as we continue efforts to improve your commute.
Please note that through traffic should not use the new HOV ramps. The ramps are restricted to carpools, vanpools and buses that are exiting the freeway at South 317th.
Expect single-lane closures southbound Monday through Friday from Military Road to South 320th as crews finish work on the South 317th bridge. On Wednesday night we’ll close the two right lanes on northbound I-5 between South 320th and Military Road to set guardrail and barrier.
Drivers should expect weeknight closures of the left lane in each direction of I-5 from South 320th to the Pierce County line for paving, weather permitting.
For more information on our projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 78: Feb. 7-14
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for February 7th through 10th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We also teamed up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
On Tuesday night, we’ll close three lanes in each direction of I-5 from Military Road to South 320th for pavement marking. Lane closures will begin at 6 p.m., with three southbound lanes closed by 9 and three northbound lanes closed by 11. The southbound exit to South 320th will close at 10 p.m. By 5 a.m. Wednesday we’ll open all northbound lanes, three southbound lanes and the southbound exit to 320th. The far right southbound lane will open at 1 p.m.
Wednesday and Thursday nights, expect closures of three lanes of northbound I-5 and the northbound on-ramp from eastbound South 320th for pavement marking. The first lane will close at 6 p.m., the second at 7, and the third at 11. The ramp will close at 10 p.m. All northbound lanes and the ramp will reopen by 5 a.m. each morning.
Also expect weeknight closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 from South 320th to the Pierce County line for paving, weather permitting.
We encourage you to avoid traveling on I-5 through Federal Way at night this week by using alternate routes such as SR 167 or rescheduling your trips.
Wednesday and Thursday nights we plan to set girders for widening the I-5 bridges over SR 18. Expect SR 18 lane and ramp closures and intermittent rolling slowdowns westbound on Wednesday night and eastbound on Thursday night between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.
For more information on our projects, please visit our Web site. Just enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 77: Jan. 31-Feb. 7
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for January 31st through February 7th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We’re also teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Expect daytime and nighttime lane closures in both directions of I-5 through Federal Way the week of January 30th. Crews are ready to put forth a massive effort during any breaks in the rain to get lanes paved and striped. Please check our Web site for updated information. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
Crews have been struggling to schedule weather-sensitive striping with the recent near-record rains. We need to complete the striping before opening the new HOV ramps and lanes at South 317th Street. It would normally take several consecutive dry nights to remove temporary striping and re-stripe the four southbound I-5 lanes for one and a half miles. But with the recent wet weather, engineers have devised plans to complete the work during a relatively brief window of dry weather, using extra equipment and extended closure hours. Stay tuned to this station for updates.
Sound Transit’s new Federal Way Transit Center is scheduled to open on Saturday, February 11th. It’s located on the west side of the freeway at South 317th Street and 23rd Avenue South. The facility includes a five-story, twelve-hundred-stall parking garage and will serve over 200 buses daily from Sound Transit, King County Metro, and Pierce Transit.
No. 76: Jan. 24-31
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for January 17th through 24th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We’re also teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Drivers should expect weekday closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 between Military Road and South 320th, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. These closures will keep drivers safe as construction vehicles enter and leave the median work zone. Crews are paving and pouring barrier on the new HOV lanes and ramps as weather permits. We’re planning to open the ramps and bridge to traffic next month, but we need several consecutive days of dry weather to stripe the pavement first.
Also be prepared for weeknight closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 from South 320th to the Pierce County line from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. Crews will place concrete pavement for the new HOV lanes if the weather cooperates.
For more information on our projects, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 75: Jan. 17-24
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for January 17th through 24th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We’re also teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Drivers should expect weekday closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 between Military Road and South 320th, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. These closures will keep drivers safe as construction vehicles enter and leave the median work zone. Crews are paving and pouring barrier on the new HOV lanes and ramps as weather permits. We’re planning to open the ramps and bridge to traffic next month, but we need several consecutive days of dry weather to stripe the pavement first.
Also be prepared for weeknight closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 from South 320th to the Pierce County line from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. Crews will place concrete pavement for the new HOV lanes if the weather cooperates.
For more information on our projects, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 74: Jan. 10-17
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation highway advisory radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for January 10th through 17th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We’re also teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Drivers should expect daytime closures Monday through Friday of the left lane of southbound I-5 between Military Road and South 320th, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. These closures will keep drivers safe as construction vehicles enter and leave the median work zone. Crews are paving and pouring barrier on the new HOV lanes and ramps as weather permits. We’re planning to open the ramps and bridge to traffic next month, but we need several consecutive days of dry weather to stripe the pavement first.
Also be prepared for closures Monday through Thursday nights of the left lane in each direction of I-5 from South 320th to the Pierce County line. Crews will place concrete pavement for the new HOV lanes if the weather cooperates. They will also sweep lanes to clear debris. The northbound left lane will close at 7 p.m.; the southbound left lane at 8 p.m. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. each morning.
For more information on our projects, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 73: Jan. 3-10
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for January 3rd through 10th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We’re also teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Expect daytime and nighttime closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 through Federal Way this week. Tuesday through Saturday the lane will be closed between Military Road and South 320th from 7 p.m. each night to 1 p.m. each following afternoon. Crews are paving the new HOV lanes and ramps in the median as weather permits. All southbound lanes will be open for the evening commute each night. The left southbound lane will also be closed from South 320th to the Pierce County line Wednesday and Thursday nights from 8 p.m. to 11 a.m. to keep drivers safe as construction vehicles enter and leave the median work zone.
On Thursday night crews will close the two right northbound lanes of I-5 and the northbound exit to South 320th to remove temporary light poles and straighten barrier. The lanes will close at 7 p.m., and the ramp will close at 10 p.m. A signed detour will direct drivers to the northbound exit at South 272nd and then back onto southbound I-5, from where they can exit at South 320th. The lanes and ramp will reopen by 5 a.m. Friday.
For more information on our projects, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 72: Dec. 28-Jan. 3
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for December 28th through January 3rd. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We’re also teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
We’ve planned daytime and nighttime lane closures this week on southbound I-5 between Military Road and South 320th. Wednesday through Friday, the left southbound lane will be closed from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. (noon on Friday) for paving, weather permitting. Wednesday and Thursday nights the right southbound lane will be closed from midnight to 8 a.m. for electrical and sign work. These closures will be coordinated to assure that only one southbound lane will be closed at a time.
Most crews are on a holiday break this week, except crews on the I-5 – South 317th project. Those crews will stop work at noon on Friday, December 30th for the New Year’s weekend. Crews on all projects will resume work on Tuesday, January 3rd.
For more information on our projects, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 71: Dec. 20-27
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for the end of December.
WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We’re also teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
On I-5 between Military Road and South 320th, expect ongoing daytime closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. These closures are scheduled to continue through January as crews work to complete the HOV lanes and ramps at South 317th.
We have a lot of paving planned in the next few weeks, but poor weather could cancel the work on any given night. Be prepared for nightly closures of the left lane in each direction of I-5 between Military Road and South 320th. The northbound lane will close at 6 p.m., southbound at 7 p.m. The northbound lane will reopen by 5 a.m. each morning. The southbound lane will remain closed until 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday nights, December 27th through 29th, crews plan to close the right lane of southbound I-5 from midnight to 8 a.m. to work on signs and electrical systems.
Most crews will stop work for the holidays at noon on Friday, December 23rd. Crews working on the I-5 – South 317th project will resume work on Tuesday, December 27th. Crews on other projects will resume work on Tuesday, January 3rd.
For more information on our projects, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 70: Dec. 13-20
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for December 13th through 20th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We’re also teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
On I-5 between Military Road and South 320th, expect ongoing daytime closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. These closures are scheduled to continue through January as crews work to complete the HOV lanes and ramps at South 317th.
Weeknights this week, expect closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 between Military Road and South 320th from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., and from SR 18 to the Pierce County line from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m. At the north end of these closures crews plan to pave if the weather cooperates, and we’ll be building the new HOV lanes south of South 320th.
Also expect weeknight closures of the left lane in each direction of SR 18 near I-5 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews work to widen the I-5 bridges for new HOV lanes. On Wednesday night we’ll close the left lane in each direction of SR 18 between Weyerhaeuser Way and West Valley Highway from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. so crews can install signs on the median barrier.
For more information on our projects, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 69: Dec. 6-13
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for December 6th through 13th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We’re also teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
On I-5 between Military Road and South 320th, expect ongoing closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m, and nightly closures of the left lane of northbound I-5 Monday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. These closures are scheduled to continue for the next several weeks as crews work to complete the HOV lanes and ramps at South 317th. Expect weeknight closures of the left lane in each direction of SR 18 near I-5 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews work to widen the I-5 bridges for new HOV lanes.
On Thursday through Sunday nights, we’ll close 2 lanes of southbound I-5 between S. 336th Street and Highway 18 for pavement repair. Lane closures will begin at 8 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday, and at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. All southbound lanes will reopen by 7 a.m. each morning.
Also, on Thursday night, the southbound I-5 on-ramp from eastbound Highway 18 will close from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. and on Sunday night, the southbound I-5 on-ramp from westbound Highway 18 will close from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
This week extra patrols are scheduled to be on the watch for speeders in the work zone on I-5 in Federal Way. Drivers exceeding the posted speed limits will be cited double the regular traffic fines. We want everyone to be aware that crews are out working year-round to make our roads safer and better.
For more information on our projects, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 68: Nov. 29-Dec. 6
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for November 29th through December 6th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We’re also teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Monday through Thursday, expect closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 between Military Road and South 320th from 7 p.m. each night to 1 p.m. each following afternoon. We’ll open the lane for each afternoon’s commute, between 1 and 7 p.m. Crews hope to have enough good weather at night to complete more HOV lane paving this week, and we’ll be working in the median during the day.
During last week’s shortened work week, crews still were able to complete some paving for the new HOV lanes on I-5 in Federal Way. We also poured more concrete for retaining walls in the I-5 median at SR 161 and South 375th Street. Crews installed construction scaffolding for use as we widen the I-5 bridges over South 336th Street.
At Snoqualmie Pass, rockslide repairs continue. We thank all drivers who helped us out Thanksgiving week by changing your holiday travel plans, choosing a different route or changing your travel schedule. Compared to 2004, 17% fewer travelers crossed the Cascades over Snoqualmie, White and Stevens Passes, and there was a 50% drop in travelers at Snoqualmie Pass during the typical high volume period on Wednesday afternoon and evening before Thanksgiving. Visit our Web site for the most up-to-date information on rockslide repairs and traffic conditions at the passes.
To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 67: Nov. 22-29
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for November 22nd through 29th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We’re also teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Tuesday night, we’ll close the left lane of northbound I-5 from South 320th to Military Road from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. for paving. We also plan to close the left lane of southbound I-5 from SR 18 to the Pierce County line Tuesday night from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. for HOV lane construction. On SR 18, expect closures of the left lane in each direction near I-5 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Tuesday night for bridge work.
Wednesday we’ll close the left lane of southbound I-5 between Military Road and South 320th from 7 a.m. to noon for HOV ramp construction. We’re asking crews to stop work at noon on Wednesday the 23rd to accommodate holiday weekend travelers. Work will resume on Monday the 28th.
We’re asking drivers to avoid crossing the Cascades during Thanksgiving weekend. Snoqualmie Pass is down to one lane in each direction due to rockslide repairs and delays could be five hours or more at any of the mountain passes.
For more information, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 66: Nov. 15-22
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for November 15th through 22nd. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We’re also teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Drivers should anticipate weeknight closures of the left lane of northbound I-5 between Highway 18 and Military Road from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews pave the new northbound HOV lane. This work is weather dependent, but this week is looking relatively dry and we hope to get a lot of paving done. Also expect daytime closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 between Military Road and South 320th Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. as crews build the HOV ramps in the median.
Just west of I-5 at South 317th, crews have finished pouring sidewalks at the roundabout intersection and planted vegetation to prevent erosion. Crews working for Sound Transit are right on track to finish their new Federal Way Transit Center for its opening in February. Current work includes painting the parking garage, testing the elevators, and building sidewalks around the site.
If the weather cooperates, carpools, vanpools and motorcycles will be able to use the new direct access ramps even earlier than the transit center opening – hopefully before the end of the year. WSDOT has a new Web page to answer your questions about direct access ramps. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link. Then enter “HOV” into the search box on our home page to find information about the statewide HOV system, including direct access ramps.
No. 65: Nov. 8-15
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County for November 8th through 15th. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We’re also teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Drivers should anticipate weeknight closures of the left lane of northbound I-5 between South 320th and Military Road from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews pave the new northbound HOV lane. This work is weather dependent and may be postponed by rain.
Due to the Veterans’ Day weekend, most crews will stop work by noon on Thursday, November 10th and resume on Monday morning.
Between 1990 and 2000, Washington and Oregon were the only two states in which drive-alone commuting decreased. Washington residents are setting records in vanpool ridership. Over 15,000 people rode in vanpools each day in August 2005, and ridership has increased twenty percent over the level of 2 years ago. You can visit rideshareonline.com to find an existing vanpool or carpool to join, or to get help starting one of your own. Get set up now, and be ready to use the new HOV ramps when we open them to traffic later this year, weather permitting.
In other news, we’ve added two new traffic cameras on Highway 18: at Weyerhaeuser Way and Highway 167. You can view live traffic pictures through these and many other freeway cameras on our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 64: Nov. 1-8
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We’re also teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Expect weeknight closures of the two left lanes of northbound I-5 between the Pierce County line and Military Road as crews build the new northbound HOV lane. Lane closures begin at 6 p.m. each night, with two lanes closed by 10 p.m. All lanes reopen by 5 a.m. Rain may postpone these closures.
We continue daytime and nighttime closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 through Federal Way for HOV lane and ramp construction. Also expect ongoing closures of the left lane in each direction of Highway 18 near I-5 nightly between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. for bridge widening work.
On Highway 18 between Federal Way and Auburn, expect closures of the right lane in each direction this week between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. for guardrail adjustments and other work. Also expect total closures of Peasley Canyon Road between Peasley Canyon Way and South 321st from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for pavement repair and ditch cleaning. Traffic will be detoured via South 321st, Military Road, and Peasley Canyon Way.
We expect to open the I-5 HOV ramps and bridge at South 317th to traffic before the end of the year, weather permitting. Crews are working hard to finish the ramp walls and barrier and hope to have some fair weather this month to pave the HOV lanes and ramps.
For more detailed project information, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 63: Oct. 25-Nov. 1
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects in south King County. WSDOT is widening I-5 and Highways 18 and 161. We’re also teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the I-5 HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
For the next few weeks, expect weeknight closures of the left lane of northbound I-5 between South 320th and Military Road from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews pave the new northbound HOV lane. Rain may postpone these closures.
We continue daytime and nighttime closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 through Federal Way for HOV lane and ramp construction. Also expect ongoing closures of the left lane in each direction of Highway 18 near I-5 nightly between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. for bridge widening work.
We’d like to remind you to please drive carefully on dark, rainy fall days. The posted speed limit is for dry pavement – slow down when the road's wet. Use your headlights, even in the daytime if it's raining or foggy. And on city streets, please watch for pedestrians. More pedestrians are struck and killed in autumn months than at other times during the year. In wet weather, allow ample following distance and look ahead to avoid having to stomp on your brakes suddenly.
For more detailed project information, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 62: Oct. 18-25
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects on or near I-5 in south King County. WSDOT is widening I-5 between Federal Way and the Pierce County line, and we’re teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. We’re also widening Highway 18 and Highway 161. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
This week, crews are removing median barrier on the I-5 bridges over Highway 18 so we can widen the bridges and build HOV lanes. Tuesday night, two left lanes of southbound I-5 between South 320th Street and Highway 161 will close: the first lane at 8 p.m., the second at 10 p.m. One southbound lane will reopen by 5 a.m., the other by 7 a.m.
On Wednesday night, we’ll close two lanes of eastbound Highway 18 between I-5 and Weyerhaeuser Way: one at 8 p.m. and one at 11 p.m. At 9 p.m. crews will close the northbound I-5 exit to westbound Highway 18 and the eastbound Highway 18 exit to southbound I-5. Signed detours will be in place during the ramp closures. All lanes and ramps will reopen by 5 a.m. Thursday.
On Thursday night, we’ll close two lanes of westbound Highway 18 between I-5 and Highway 99: one at 8 p.m. and one at 11 p.m. At 9 p.m. crews will close the southbound I-5 exit to eastbound Highway 18 and the eastbound Highway 18 exit to northbound I-5. Signed detours will be in place during the ramp closures. All lanes and ramps will reopen by 5 a.m. Friday.
We opened the new Highway 18 westbound truck-climbing lane between Auburn and Federal Way last Wednesday. Drivers should watch for shoulder closures along this stretch of Highway 18 as crews complete minor wrap-up work. Large trucks are prohibited in the left lane on this stretch of Highway 18. We also finished repaving all lanes of the northbound I-5 bridge over Military Road last Thursday night.
Expect continuing daytime closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 between Military Road and South 320th Monday through Friday as crews work in the median to build HOV ramps. We also continue weekday shoulder closures on Highway 161 between Federal Way and Milton as crews work to widen the road.
For more detailed project information, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 61: Oct. 11-18
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects on or near I-5 in south King County. WSDOT is widening I-5 between Federal Way and the Pierce County line, and we’re teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. We’re also widening Highway 18 and Highway 161. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
We’ve repaved all of the northbound I-5 bridge over Military Road except the far right lane and shoulder. It’s been challenging to complete this work with the recent rains, but we plan to finish this coming week, weather permitting. Expect three lanes of northbound I-5 near Military Road to close from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tuesday night. The new pavement will extend the life of this 46-year-old bridge and give drivers a much smoother ride.
On Tuesday night we also plan to close three lanes of southbound I-5 near S. 320th to install guardrail and other safety structures. We’ll begin closing lanes at 7 p.m., with three lanes closed by 11 p.m. All southbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Wednesday.
Expect daytime and nighttime closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 through Federal Way Monday through Friday as crews work in the median to build HOV ramps and lanes. Be prepared for lane closures on Highway 18 between Federal Way and Auburn on weeknights as we finish up work on the Highway 18 truck-climbing lane project. The truck-climbing lane is scheduled to open on Wednesday, weather permitting. We’re also closing one lane in each direction of Highway 18 near I-5 for bridge work. On Highway 161 between Federal Way and Milton, watch for weekday shoulder closures as crews work to widen the road.
For more detailed project information, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 60: Oct. 4-11
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects on or near I-5 in south King County. WSDOT is widening I-5 between Federal Way and the Pierce County line, and we’re teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. We’re also widening Highway 18 and Highway 161. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
We’ve repaved the left lanes of the northbound I-5 bridge over Military Road, but crews had to postpone the rest of this paving work due to rain. We will attempt to pave the right lanes Tuesday night, weather permitting. Expect three lanes of northbound I-5 near Military Road to be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The new pavement will extend the life of this 46-year-old bridge and give drivers a much smoother ride.
Expect daytime and nighttime closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 through Federal Way Monday through Saturday as crews work in the median to build HOV ramps and lanes. On Highway 18, expect weeknight single-lane closures near I-5 for bridge work. Crews will also close one eastbound and one westbound lane of Highway 18 between Federal Way and Auburn on weeknights as we finish up work on the Highway 18 truck-climbing lane project. This will reduce Highway 18 to one lane in each direction. On Highway 161 between Federal Way and Milton, watch for weekday shoulder closures as crews work to widen the road.
All lanes of Peasley Canyon Road near Highway 18 are closed nightly Monday through Wednesday as crews remove temporary barrier and restripe lanes. We’re restoring this road now that we’ve widened Highway 18 over it.
On Saturday, Oct. 1, we reopened the intersection of South 317th and 28th South. Crews have rebuilt this intersection as a roundabout. When the new South 317th bridge opens later this year, buses, carpools and vanpools will pass through the roundabout as they enter and exit the freeway.
For more detailed project information, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 59: Sept. 27-Oct. 4
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects on or near I-5 in south King County. WSDOT is widening I-5 between Federal Way and the Pierce County line, and we’re teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. We’re also widening Highway 18 and Highway 161. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
This week we’re repaving the northbound I-5 bridge over Military Road. Three lanes of northbound I-5 near Military Road are closed each night from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. The new pavement will extend the life of this 46-year-old bridge and give drivers a much smoother ride.
Expect daytime and nighttime closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 through Federal Way Monday through Saturday as crews work in the median to build HOV ramps and lanes. On Highway 18, be prepared for weeknight single-lane closures near I-5 for bridge work. On Highway 161, watch for weekday shoulder closures for freeway widening work.
All lanes of Peasley Canyon Road are closed nightly Tuesday through Thursday between South 321st and Peasley Canyon Way as crews place guardrail, remove temporary barrier and restripe. We’re restoring this road now that we’ve widened Highway 18 over it.
On Saturday, Oct. 1, we’ll reopen the intersection of South 317th and 28th South. Crews have rebuilt this intersection as a roundabout. When the new South 317th bridge opens later this year, buses, carpools and vanpools will pass through the roundabout as they enter and exit the freeway.
For more detailed project information, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 58: Sept. 20-27
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects on or near I-5 in south King County. WSDOT is widening I-5 between Federal Way and the Pierce County line, and we’re teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. We’re also widening Highway 18 and Highway 161. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
At the northbound I-5 bridge over Military Road, be prepared for bumps and a grooved roadway surface as crews make repairs to extend the life of this 46-year-old bridge. This week, we’ll close 3 lanes of northbound I-5 Wednesday and Thursday nights (September 21st and 22nd) to prepare to repave the bridge next week, weather permitting. Northbound lane closures will begin at 6 p.m. each night, with three lanes closed by 11 p.m. All northbound lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. each morning.
Drivers should also expect daytime and nighttime closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 through Federal Way Monday through Friday as crews work in the median to build HOV ramps and lanes.
On Highway 18, be prepared for weeknight single-lane closures near I-5 for bridge work. Further east, expect weeknight lane closures on Highway 18 between West Valley Road and Weyerhaeuser Way for striping, weather permitting.
Wednesday and Thursday nights, we’ll close all lanes in both directions of Peasley Canyon Road between South 321st and Peasley Canyon Way. The road closes at 10 p.m. and will reopen by 5 a.m. Crews will stripe lanes and remove barrier. A signed detour will be in place.
On Saturday, September 24, the north side of the Highway 161 / 28th South intersection will be closed for repaving. The closure begins at 6 a.m. Saturday and will end by 2 a.m. Sunday. A signed detour will be in place.
The intersection of South 317th and 28th South is closed until October 1st for roundabout construction. Signed detours are in place.
For more detailed project information, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 57: Sept. 13-20
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects on or near I-5 in south King County. WSDOT is widening I-5 between Federal Way and the Pierce County line, and we’re teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. We’re also widening Highway 18 and Highway 161. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Drivers should use extra caution at the northbound I-5 bridge over Military Road. Be prepared for bumps at both ends of the bridge and a grooved roadway surface. We’ve removed the asphalt surface and are repairing the deck to extend the life of this 46-year-old bridge. We plan to repave the bridge next week.
Expect daytime and nighttime closures of the left lane of southbound I-5 through Federal Way as crews work in the median to build HOV ramps and lanes. Be prepared for weeknight single-lane closures on Highway 18 near I-5 for bridge work. We’ll also close lanes weeknights on Highway 18 between West Valley Road and Weyerhaeuser Way for striping.
On Wednesday night, the left lane of northbound I-5 near South 320th will close from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. for crews to reset an impact attenuator. On Thursday night, two right lanes of northbound I-5 near Military Road will close from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. for pavement grinding on the shoulder.
On Monday, September 12th, we began a 20-day closure of the intersection of South 317th and 28th South, just west of I-5. We’re rebuilding this intersection as a roundabout. When the South 317th HOV project is complete later this year, buses, carpools and vanpools will pass through this circular intersection on their way to and from the new Federal Way Transit Center.
To learn more about roundabouts, and for more detailed project information, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 56: Sept. 6-13
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects on or near I-5 in south King County. WSDOT is widening I-5 between Federal Way and the Pierce County line, and we’re teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. We’re also widening Highway 18 and Highway 161. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Drivers should use extra caution at the northbound I-5 bridge over Military Road. Be prepared for bumps at both ends of the bridge and a grooved roadway surface. We’ve removed the asphalt surface and are repairing the deck to extend the life of this 46-year-old bridge. We’ll finish repairs and repave the bridge within the next couple weeks.
Weeknights expect lane closures on southbound I-5 from South 336th to the Pierce County line. There will be rolling slowdowns overnight on I-5 near Highway 18 this week. The first is on Wednesday night, September 7th. Three southbound lanes will be closed by midnight, and between midnight and 4 a.m., a rolling slowdown will allow crews to remove a metal structure holding signs over the freeway. The next night, Thursday, September 8th, the lane closures and rolling slowdown will occur on northbound I-5 between midnight and 4 a.m.
Weekdays the left lane of southbound I-5 between Military Road and South 320th will close for work in the median. Expect single lane closures weeknights on Highway 18 - near I-5 and between Highway 167 and Weyerhaeuser Way. Drivers should also be alert for daytime shoulder closures along Highway 161 between South 360th and Milton Way for roadway widening work.
For more detailed project information please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 55: August 30-Sept. 6
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects on or near I-5 in south King County. The Washington State Department of Transportation is widening I-5 between Federal Way and the Pierce County line, and we’re teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. We’re also widening Highway 18 and Highway 161. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Monday through Thursday nights, August 29th through September 1st, expect nightly lane closures on northbound and southbound I-5 from Military Road to the Pierce County line. We’re also closing the left lane of southbound I-5 between Military Road and South 320th from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays for work in the median. The inside lane in each direction of Highway 18 will close Monday through Thursday nights (August 29th through September 1st) from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews widen the I-5 bridges at the Highway 18 interchange.
Tuesday and Wednesday nights, August 30th and 31st, crews will remove the asphalt surface on the northbound I-5 bridge over Military Road. Drivers should use caution and expect a grooved deck surface on the bridge and bumps at either end of the bridge for about two weeks. We’ll make deck repairs next week and re-pave the following week. This will extend the life of the bridge, which was built in 1959.
We’re obtaining materials to build a retaining wall between northbound and southbound I-5 at the north end of the new HOV ramps. The plans originally called for building a three-foot-tall barrier, but the most recent information shows the height difference between northbound and southbound I-5 is greater than the project plans projected. The originally planned barrier would not be strong enough to shore up the higher southbound lanes, so we need to build a ten-foot-tall retaining wall instead.
In spite of this change, WSDOT and Sound Transit still expect to complete the new HOV ramps and bridge in fall 2005, subject to weather conditions. We also expect to remain within the project budget.
For more detailed project information please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 54: August 23-30
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects on or near I-5 in south King County. The Washington State Department of Transportation is widening I-5 between Federal Way and the Pierce County line, and we’re teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. We’re also widening Highway 18 and Highway 161. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Monday through Thursday nights, August 22nd through 25th, expect nightly lane closures on northbound and southbound I-5 from Military Road to the Pierce County line. Crews are removing material from the median, building the new HOV on and off-ramps, preparing for HOV lane construction, and re-striping the northbound lanes near South 317th. We’re also closing the left lane of southbound I-5 between Military Road and South 320th from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The inside lane in each direction of Highway 18 will close Monday through Thursday nights (August 22nd through 25th) from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. as crews widen the I-5 bridges at the Highway 18 interchange. We’ll also close the inside lanes of Highway 18 between Weyerhaeuser Way and West Valley Road Monday through Thursday nights from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for median barrier work.
To see close-up construction photos, and for more information on our projects, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 53: August 16-23
This is the Washington State Department of Transportation Highway Advisory Radio. This is Laura, with an update on projects on or near I-5 in south King County. The Washington State Department of Transportation is widening I-5 between Federal Way and the Pierce County line, and we’re teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. We’re also widening Highway 18 and Highway 161. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Two lanes of southbound I-5 will close Monday through Thursday nights, August 15th through 18th, from South 336th to the Pierce County line so crews can safely haul material from the median. The first lane will close at 8 p.m.; the second at 11 p.m. Both lanes will reopen by 6 a.m. each morning.
Monday through Friday, August 15th through 19th, we’ll close the left lane of southbound I-5 between Military Road and South 320th from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. Crews need this closure to continue removing the temporary roadway in the median. Drivers should also expect a single-lane closure on northbound I-5 near South 320th for guardrail installation, and nightly lane closures on Highway 18 near I-5 for bridge work.
Overnight paving continues this week on Highway 18 between Federal Way and Auburn. Drivers should expect nighttime single-lane closures in both directions of Highway 18 and closures of the Highway 18 on-ramps from West Valley Highway and southbound Highway 167. Closures are scheduled between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday nights (August 15th through 18th).
This weekend, August 19th through 21st, drivers should anticipate delays on southbound I-5 and Highway 18. Weather dependent pavement repair is scheduled to occur in Pierce County, reducing southbound I-5 to one lane through Tacoma.
To see close-up construction photos, and for more information on our projects, please visit our Web site. To find our Web site, enter W-S-D-O-T into any Web search engine and click on the Washington State Department of Transportation link.
No. 52: August 9-16
This is Greg, with an update on projects on or near I-5 in south King County.
The Washington State Department of Transportation is widening I-5 between Federal Way and the Pierce County line, and we’re teaming up with Sound Transit to build ramps connecting the HOV lanes to the new Federal Way Transit Center. We’re also widening Highway 18 and Highway 161. These projects will bring faster, safer commutes for drivers and transit riders.
Work in the median will close lanes on southbound I-5 this week. Two lanes of southbound I-5 will close Tuesday through Thursday nights from South 336th to the Pierce County line to allow crews to safely haul material from the median. The first lane will close at 8 p.m., the second at 11 p.m. Both lanes will reopen by 6 a.m. each morning. Also Tuesday through Thursday nights, we’ll close the left lane of southbound I-5 at 7 p.m. nightly from Military Road to South 320th. The lane will reopen at 1 p.m. each following day. Crews need this closure to continue removing the temporary roadway in the median.
Overnight paving continues this week on Highway 18 between Federal Way and Auburn. We will close one westbound lane and the Highway 167 and West Valley Highway on-ramps to westbound Highway 18 Tuesday through Thursday nights. The lane will close at 9 p.m. nightly and the ramps will close at 10 p.m. The lane and ramps will reopen by 5 a.m. each following morning.
Washington State has been selected for a pilot project that will lower the number of collisions between passenger cars and semi-trucks by helping people become more aware of their driving behavior. In 2004 alone Washington drivers were involved in 632 collisions between passenger cars and semi trucks. The biggest factor in these collisions is that passenger cars aren’t giving trucks enough space for braking.
In selected areas along the I-5 corridor designated semi-trucks will be on the highway accompanied with troopers. Drivers who cut off trucks, tailgate or otherwise drive dangerously will receive $101 tickets. Please do your part to help reduce truck and vehicle collisions. When driving alongside or in f