The project area is long. The north end project limit is Northgate (117th Street) and the south end project limit is Roanoke Street.
This is the
right lane on southbound I-5 at NE 50th Street. It's been patched and repaired many times and, as a result, it extremely bumpy.
May 2012
- Engineers are designing this work right now.
- Contractors will not begin work on this project until early 2013.
- WSDOT will be working with the community in advance to address noise during construction.
The pavement in this area is nearly 50 years old and is pounded daily by 250,000 cars, trucks, semi-trucks and oversized loads.
The freeway was not designed to withstand this level of heavy use. For years, the concrete panels and asphalt shoulders have been cracking under the weight of this daily pounding. The cracks widen and deepen with traffic and the annual freeze/thaw cycle hastening the deterioration process.
Additionally, wheel ruts carved by years of traffic are wearing lanes unevenly.
Maintenance crews do their best to patch cracks, fill potholes and make other spot repairs, but they can't keep up with the growing number of problems.
Why is WSDOT
replacing concrete panels, grinding the pavement and restriping the road?
- This work will allow the road to last longer.
- Drivers will get a smoother ride and safer trip.
- Our maintenance crews can work on other projects like guardrail repair, tree trimming and filling potholes in other areas.
The End Result
Concrete panel replacement:
- Crews will replace 31 broken and concrete panels.
- Crews will grind smooth the two right lanes on southbound I-5 between Northgate and Roanoke Avenue. Crews will not grind the Ship Canal Bridge.
- Crews will also restripe southbound I-5 between Northgate and Roanoke including the Ship Canal Bridge.
- They will restripe northbound I-5 across the Ship Canal Bridge.
Project Benefits
- When work is complete, drivers will have a smoother drive on I-5.
- The lane striping will also be brighter and easier to see at night and in wet weather.
What is the project timeline?
Construction could begin as soon as July 2012 or as late as February 2013.
We are coordinating with other construction projects.
Financial Information
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Gary McKee, WSDOT Design Engineer
206.440.4353
Jamie Holter, WSDOT Communications
206.440.4698
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