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
right lane on southbound I-5 at NE 50th Street. It's been patched and repaired many times and, as a result, it's extremely bumpy.
February 2013
- WSDOT contractors will begin repairing and grinding concrete on southbound I-5 near NE 50th Street on Wednesday, Feb. 6.
- Work hours: 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. Friday nights. Occasional weekenights from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Crews will work through March 2013.
- Noise hotline: 206-440-4DOT (4368)
- Grinding concrete is loud work. Call our 24-hour construction noise hotline for free earplugs, or to get more information about construction.
- Thursday, Feb. 7 to the morning of Friday, Feb. 8 - Crews will close up to three out of four lanes of southbound I-5 from NE Ravenna Boulevard to the Boylston Avenue E. on-ramp, and the NE Ravenna Boulevard on-ramp to southbound I-5, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for pavement repairs.
- Friday, Feb. 8 to the morning of Saturday, Feb. 9 - Crews will close up to three out of four lanes of southbound I-5 from NE Ravenna Boulevard to the I-5 Ship Canal Bridge, and the NE Ravenna Boulevard on-ramp to southbound I-5 from 10 p.m. Friday to 10 a.m. Saturday for pavement repairs
- Print our flyer (pdf 97KB) about this project and post it on your refrigerator.
- View photos of 2009 I-5 concrete grinding and pavement repair work in Seattle.
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 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 31 broken concrete panels.
- Crews will grind smooth the three lanes on southbound I-5 between Ravenna and Roanoke Street. Crews will not grind the Ship Canal Bridge.
- Crews will also 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
- spring 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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