April 2013
- Northbound I-5 weekend closures: 8 p.m. Friday, April 5 - 5 a.m. Monday, April 8 Crews will reduce capacity by 60 percent on northbound I-5 this weekend to complete the replacement of four worn-out expansion joints. Three out of five lanes on northbound I-5 will be closed between S. Albro Place and South Spokane Street.
- Get details about the closures, read a cool blog about why we're replacing the expansion joints. The west half of all four joints were replaced last weekend, March 29 through April 1.
- Avoid traffic backups: Bypass constuction by taking SR 599 to Highway 99. Another good route is northbound I-405 to westbound I-90 View a map of alternate routes (PDF 200 kb)
- If possible, carpool or take public transit into Seattle from SeaTac, south King County and Pierce County.
- Get travel times and more: We're rockin' out on Twitter all weekend to help drivers navigate around and through the northbound I-5 closures. Follow us @WSDOT_Traffic.
- Overhead message boards: Keep an eye on our electronic message boards for the best alternate routes and travel time information this weekend.
- Call 511: Our highway information hotline is available around the clock.
- Bothered by construction noise? Let us know: 206-440-4DOT (4368)
- Sign up for construction updates: Our Seattle Area News weekly email update is chock full of useful Seattle-area construction closure information without too much "government speak."
- See photos of the work, including the noise shack! (one of the ways we help put a lid on construction noise.)
- Print this flyer (pdf 208kb) to stay on top of all weekend closures.
- Construction began in early January and will last through May 2013.
The project will require a series of weekend closures on ramps that link West Seattle and Beacon Hill to I-5. Work will be phased to reduce the impact on West Seattle drivers.
See locations of each weekend closure in this color coded map. Construction lasts from January through early May 2013.
Crews are replacing 31 expansion joints on the ramps that connect West Seattle, Columbian Way, Spokane Street and I-5.
Expansion joints link together concrete bridge slabs in a way that allows the bridge to bend and flex with heavy, uneven traffic and the annual freeze/thaw cycle. expansion joints stretch across all lanes of the highway or bridge.
The current expansion joints are more than 50 years old and are failing at a high rate. Failing expansion joints can lead to collisions, emergency closures and expensive emergency repairs.
Print this flyer to stay on top of the closures.
The closures will be coordinated with other projects in the area, including the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement, to minimize delays as much as possible. Signed detours will be in place.
Work will take place on the following bridges:
- Northbound I-5 near Corson Ave.
- The ramp from the West Seattle Bridge to southbound I-5.
- The ramp from westbound Columbian Way to the West Seattle Bridge.
- The ramp from the West Seattle Bridge to eastbound Columbian Way.
- The off-ramp from northbound I-5 to 6th Ave./Spokane Street.
- This work is unrelated to a similar project that was completed in the same area in the summer of 2007.
Why is WSDOT
repairing expansion joints on I-5 near Spokane Street?
An expansion joint is a large steel section of the roadway that connects two bridges, allowing them to move and flex with the varying weather conditions and traffic loads.
The original steel expansion joints on these bridges are breaking up and allowing water and contaminates to flow onto the bottom of the girder, which is leading to the deterioration of the concrete and steel underneath the bridge.
Additionally, the steel plate coverings on top of the roadway are coming apart, are loose or have been completely removed due to age and heavy traffic.
The gaps created by a failing expansion joint can lead to collisions.
The End Result
New, watertight expansion joints will better protect against deteriroation and extend the life of the roadway. The new expansion joints will be less likely to fail, which is expected to improve safety for drivers.
Crews also will replace bottom slab sections of the deteriorating girders.
Project Benefits
- Safety - new expansion joints will be less likely to fail.
- Maintenance - stronger expansion joints will require less maintenance.
- Preservation - new, stronger expansion joints extend the life of the roadway.
What is the project timeline?
- July 2, 2012 - This project as advertised to contractors.
- August 15, 2012 - This project was awarded to Mowatt Construction, Inc.
- Jan. 4, 2013 - Construction begins.
- May 10, 2013 - Expected completion.
Financial Information
Project signage will reflect the cost of construction engineering, project bid award and sales tax.
$4.5 million - pre-existing funds
How can I get more information?
Contact:
Aleta Borschowa
WSDOT Project Engineer - Construction
206-768-5862
borscha@wsdot.wa.gov
Broch Bender
WSDOT Communications
206-440-4699
BenderB@wsdot.wa.gov
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