Project Facts
- This work will extend the life of the freeway by 15 years or more.
- Construction will be in southbound I-5 lanes from milepost 258 to 263.
- Nearly 50,000 drivers use this stretch of freeway every day.
July 2008
- Engineers are currently designing this construction project.
- Construction will begin in summer 2009.
Overview
We will repair and replace cracked and broken concrete panels on southbound I-5 between Bellingham and Ferndale. We also will tie concrete panels together with metal dowel bars to prevent them from tipping and creating the charateristic "bump bump bump" sound you hear as you drive over them. After we tie them together, we will then grind the panels smooth to level the driving surface.
Bellingham and Ferndale motorists may already be familiar with dowel bar projects, as similar projects have already been completed along northbound I-5. Dowel bars leave a characteristic sign of imprints - two sets of three parallel rectangular lines located between concrete panels.
Why is WSDOT
repairing cracked and broken concrete panels on I-5?
This section of I-5 is the original roadway built in the 1950s. It has served the public well for many years but is showing its age through settling, cracks, and broken panels. I-5 needs this work to extend its useful life for the nearly 50,000 drivers who use it every day. Over the years, heavy traffic has slowly rocked the panels back and forth, causing them to loosen and create the familiar "bump bump bump" sound motorists hear and feel when they drive the highway.
The End Result
We will extend the useful life of I-5 by 15 years or more. The freeway will be smoother when we're finished. The dowel bars inserted between the concrete panels will help prevent the panels from tipping again and creating the "bump bump bump" sound and feel.
Project Benefits
- This work will extend the lifespan of I-5 by 15 years or more.
- I-5 will be smoother for drivers.
What is the project timeline?
- Fall 2009 - construction complete
- Summer 2009 - construction begins
Public Involvement
Your thoughts and opinions are important to us. Open houses will be held and informational flyers will be distributed to inform the public about the project and its impacts. For more information about the project, contact Project Engineer Dave Crisman at 360-428-1593 or by e-mail at crismad@wsdot.wa.gov.
Environmental Protection
WSDOT makes every effort to assess and minimize environmental impact from our projects. During project design, WSDOT will work to reduce the impact to wetlands, creeks and rivers in the project area. A detailed analysis of the project's environmental impacts will be completed and, if necessary, an appropriate plan for mitigation of impacts will be developed and documented as part of the environmental documentation and environmental permitting processes.
Water systems adjacent to the project will be protected by crews installing silt fencing, runoff check dams, and straw matting. Also, storm drain inserts will be used to trap pollutants before they leave the work site and turf-reinforcing mats will be installed in the median to prevent soil erosion.
Please visit the WSDOT Environmental
Services Web site for more information.
Increasing safety is one of our priorities
Installing dowel bars and grinding the road surface smooth will improve safety for drivers.
Will this project impact tribal resources?
Any tribes with an interest in or land near the project area will be consulted as an important part of the design phase. To learn more about Section 106 Tribal Consultation (also called government-to-government tribal consultation process) please check out WSDOT's Tribal Liaison page. Here you can find the WSDOT Centennial Accord Plan and WSDOT's Tribal Consultation Policy (Adopted by the Transportation Commission on February 19, 2003).
Formal consultation with the tribes about this project has not started yet.
Financial Information
This project is funded through the following fund sources:
- Existing Funds - $5.3 million
- Total Funding Available From All Sources - $5.3 million
For project schedule and updates, please see the Quarterly Project Report.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Project Engineer Chris Damitio
Mount Vernon Project Engineering Office
460 Stuart Road
Bellingham, WA 98226
Phone: 360-788-7400
E-mail: damitic@wsdot.wa.gov
or
Communications Dustin Terpening
WSDOT Mt. Baker Headquarters
1043 Goldenrod Road, Suite 101
Burlington, WA 98233-3415
Phone: 360-757-5997
E-mail: Terpenid@wsdot.wa.gov
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