The project area is long. The north end project limit is Northgate (117th Street) and the south end project limit is just south of E. Roanoke Street.
This is the Street. It's been patched and repaired many times and, as a result, it's extremely bumpy.
The left side is ground down, the right side is the existing pavement.
April 2013
- Crews have completed the nighttime grinding work on southbound I-5 through Seattle's U-District. Future nighttime lane closures will be needed to complete panel replacement work, install traffic detection devices and restripe the roadway. However, none are scheduled at this time.
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The pavement in this area is nearly 50 years old and is pounded daily by 250,000 cars, trucks, studded tires, 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 hastens the deterioration process.
Additionally, wheel ruts carved by years of traffic are wearing lanes unevenly and hold water when it rains.
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 32 broken concrete panels.
- Crews will grind smooth all four lanes on southbound I-5 between Ravenna and the north end of the Ship Canal bridge. They will also grind two of four lanes between the south end of the Ship Canal bridge (E. Hamlin Street) and just south of Roanoke St. (E. Newton Street).
- In the spring, crews will restripe southbound I-5 between Northgate and Roanoke including the Ship Canal Bridge.
- Crews will also 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?
- April 2012: Project is advertised for bidders.
- September 2012: Project is awarded to Interstate Improvements, Inc.
- February 2013: Construction begins in the University District.
- April 2013: All work is complete.
Financial Information
Project signage will reflect the cost of construction engineering, project bid award and sales tax.
$6.4 million*
*Total cost includes funding for I-5 repairs in Seattle, Kent and Federal Way.
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Broch Bender, WSDOT Communications
206.440.4699
broch.bender@wsdot.wa.gov
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