I-5 - Pavement Repair – Kent / Federal Way

 
Crews will work in Midway, an area between Tukwila and Federal Way.

They will grind all northbound lanes and replace concrete panels near 272nd Street.


The winter freeze/thaw cycle makes cracks like these longer, deeper and wider.

Interstate 5 through King County is nearly 50 years
old and is used by more than 250,000 cars, trucks, semi-trucks, buses, and oversized vehicles every day.

The road was designed to last 30-40 years.
Due to the strength of our concrete, the road has held up remarkably well. But it is now falling apart more quickly than maintenance crews can hold it together.

The pavement is cracking and breaking apart,
cracking and has developed significant wheel ruts and potholes which make for a very rough ride.

The cracks in the pavement get longer, deeper and wider each year as the road goes through the winter freeze/thaw cycle. Temporary fixes to that pavement have become more frequent, more expensive and less effective and ultimately cost taxpayers more money in lost time and time-consuming repairs.

Why is WSDOT repairing I-5 in the Midway area?

Roads that are in good shape last longer and record fewer collisions. Fewer collisions means fewer unexpected lane closures.
On northbound I-5 this fall, crews will:

• cut, break apart and haul away 80 old and broken concrete panels and replace them with new 9 inch deep concrete panels between South Military Road and South 260th Street.
• use diamond grinders to even out the ruts on I-5, smoothing out three miles of northbound I-5. 
• restripe northbound I-5 with highly visible contrast striping.
• replace guardrail, old sign posts, and old signs

The End Result
The end result will be a smoother and quieter ride for all drivers. Drivers will also benefit from new guardrail and new high-visibility striping and more reflective signs.

The road will last longer and need fewer emergency repairs.

Project Benefits
Drivers will enjoy a less bumpy ride on I-5. This work will help hold I-5 together until future funding can be secured.
Engineers estimate that it will cost about $2 billion to replace all the concrete pavement on I-5. At this time there is no funding source for this work.

What is the project timeline?

• April 2012: Project is advertised for bidders
• Fall 2012: Construction begins

Financial Information

How can I get more information?
Contact:
Jamie Holter
Phone: 206.440.4698
E-mail address: jamie.holter@wsdot.wa.gov

Gary McKee
Phone: 206.440.4353
E-mail address: gary.mckee@wsdot.wa.gov

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