Crews have begun excavating for wall footings in the I-5 median. These walls will support the new HOV direct access ramps. Southbound I-5 traffic will soon be shifted off the temporary roadway (right) onto the rebuilt mainline (left).
Workers dig holes by hand for guardrail posts at S. 320th Street. We use a vacuum truck to remove dirt from the holes to avoid damaging underground fiber optic lines nearby.
This is the slope along the S. 320th exit. The workers in the lift (right) are pressure washing the new retaining wall to prepare it for painting. The loader (left) is dumping topsoil on the slope for landscaping.
At the east end of the S. 317th bridge, crews are setting falsework (temporary construction supports) for the flared portion of the bridge, where the new HOV direct access ramps will connect to the bridge in the I-5 median.
Looking south from the new S. 317th bridge, you can see that the concrete paving on the southbound I-5 mainline is nearly complete, and crews are working on the asphalt paving of the exit ramp to S. 320th.
Workers set new guardrail along the southbound I-5 exit ramp to S. 320th, above the excavation for the new detention pond (left).
Looking north over southbound I-5 from the S. 320th bridge. You can see the new S. 317th bridge in the distance, and notice the new retaining wall to the left, between the exit ramp and the freeway. We're building a new detention pond in that area. We're also getting the rebuilt southbound lanes ready for the traffic switch off the temporary median roadway (right) late this month.
A worker places sealant in the joints between the new concrete pavement panels. We pour the concrete in one large slab and then cut joints in it to prevent the concrete from cracking. Sealing the joints is an integral part of the process.
Workers place traffic signal loops near the S. 320th intersection with the exit ramp from southbound I-5. These devices help monitor traffic volumes and control the timing of the signals.
Crews place more concrete on southbound I-5 at S. 320th Street. You can see the row of steel dowel bars being buried in the concrete, which will help the roadway last longer.
At the west end of the new S. 317th bridge, workers have been placing steel for a section of concrete that will sit between the bridge and the pavement we will place next to it (the approach slab).